CM asks depts to finish ground work for food security scheme

Yusuf says his department will be ready to implement before Aug 20

Racing to ensure that Delhi becomes the first state to implement the Central governments ambitious food security scheme,Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on Tuesday directed all government departments to complete preparations to launch the scheme on August 20.

Dikshit is expected to give AICC president Sonia Gandhi a presentation of her governments intent and level of preparation on July 13 during a meeting with all Congress chief ministers. Sources in the government said Dikshit directed Chief Secretary D M Spolia and the food and civil supplies department to complete all necessary ground work for the planned launch.

After a meeting with Union Food Minister K V Thomas on Monday,Dikshit had emphasised her governments desire to be the first state to implement the scheme which the Congress has labelled as a gamechanger. With the Assembly polls slated in November this year,the Congress hopes to highlight the scheme vigorously in the months to come.

Food and Civil Supplies Minister Haroon Yusuf said his department will be ready to implement the scheme before August 20 and the committee formed to ensure proper implementation of the scheme held its first meeting on Tuesday. The Chief Minister intended to launch the scheme in Delhi on August 20 to coincide with Rajiv Gandhis birth anniversary. The committee held its first meeting on Tuesday where challenges and logistics were discussed, a senior official said.

The committee consists of Delhi MPs Sandeep Dikshit and Mahabal Mishra,four MLAs,Principal Secretaries of Finance,Food and Civil Supplies and Social Welfare. Sources said the panel would hold regular meetings and review all preparation to iron out all issues.

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