FCI: Centre launches mobile app to address complaints of rice millers
FCI: The app launched by the government allows rice millers to register their complaints directly. Once a complaint is registered, a three-member team will be sent to investigate within three days, interact with the millers and recommend a solution within the same period.
The Food Corporation of India (FCI) Grievance Redressal Portal for rice millers was launched on Monday by Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution Prahlad Joshi. In order to address the issues mentioned by rice millers, the new portal aims to improve accountability and transparency. Minister Joshi stated at the app's launch that the main goal is to create an efficient grievance redressal system.
Rice millers can directly report their issues through the app. Within three days of a complaint being filed, a three-person team will be sent to investigate into it, interact with the millers, and suggest a solution.
In case this does not meet the demand of the rice millers, their grievances would be sent and reviewed by higher authorities. "All grievances will be dealt with in a transparent manner with a speedy, time-bound redressal system within seven days. Field response teams will reach the spot in three days, ensuring timely action," Joshi emphasized.
The Prime Minister has instructed us on how to make the grievance redressal mechanism more farmer and consumer-friendly," Joshi said. In every Cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Narendra Modi takes stock of the existing grievance redressal mechanism and has directed the ministry to give priority to grievance redressal both for farmers and mill owners.
Reiterating the commitment of the government towards farmers, he said rice procurement as promised will be carried out. "Till yesterday, our rice offtake had reached about 4.5 lakh metric tonnes and today we are on track to cross 5 lakh metric tonnes," the Union minister said.
While launching this, Secretary, the Department of Food and Public Distribution, Sanjeev Chopra has underlined the fact that FCI buys around 550 lakh metric tonnes of rice annually. Every case will be randomly assigned a nodal officer or quick response team that will conduct inquiries at ground level to ensure swift responses on the app. Geofencing technology would also be used by the app for tracking mobile teams. If the mill owners are still not satisfied, senior officials would be called in to sort out the issue.
