Section 25 in Himachal Pradesh Food Security Rules, 2019
25. Conduct of social audit on the functioning of fair price shops, Targeted Public Distribution System and other welfare schemes.
(1)The State Government shall authorize the Sub-Divisional Magistrates to engage all field functionaries not below the rank of Tehsildar under his disposal or any independent body to perform the work facilitation in the conduct of periodic social audits, as prescribed, on the functioning of fair price shops, Targeted Public Distribution System and Other Welfare Schemes (OWS).(2)A simple format/questionnaires shall be devised which will be provided to all participants of the concerned Gram Sabha/Ward Sabha, as the case may be, so that people can opine their views.(3)The respective field functionary shall collect duly filled up format/questionnaires from all the participants of the concerned Gram Sabha.(4)On the basis of all such filled up format/questionnaires, the respective field functionaries shall prepare and submit a consolidated Action Taken Report (ATR) to the Sub- Divisional Magistrate indicating special measure to be taken for betterment of functioning of Fair Price Shops, Targeted Public Distribution System and other welfare schemes, if any.(5)Sub-Divisional Magistrate, so authorized in this behalf, may also take recourse of any other manner to conduct social audit in respect of particular fair price shops when organizing Gram Sabha could not be possible. For example, in pursuance of sub-rule (2) above, format/questionnaires, as may be devised, may be circulated among a minimum, say 30% of the Card Holders of a particular fair price shop for audit of performance. In this regard, the dealer of fair price shop/Licensee shall not be engaged in circulation/collection of format/questionnaires.(6)The Sub-Divisional Magistrate shall take every necessary action within his competence accordingly and refer all such action taken reports to the State Government for taking necessary action, if taking such actions is beyond his competence.(7)The fair price shop Level Vigilance Committees will conduct the social audit of fair price shops of record relating to allotment, storage and distribution of ration commodities to consumers under Targeted Public Distribution System.(8)The fair price shop Level Vigilance Committee will forward its detailed social audit report to the concerned Block Level Vigilance Committee immediately after the audit on quarterly basis.(9)The Block Level Vigilance Committee will examine and forward the report to the District Level Vigilance Committee with its findings/recommendations.(10)The District Level Vigilance Committee after compilation the social audit reports of all the fair price shops in district, will forward the same to the Directorate, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs for scrutiny and necessary action.(11)The final social audit report of each fair price shop will finally be displayed on the Targeted Public Distribution Portal on a prescribed format for the information of general public.(12)Parameters for conducting social audit by Vigilance Committees: -(a)updated list of eligible households registered with fair price shop for ration under National Food Security Act, 2013;(b)timely availability of stocks and distribution of the same by the fair price shop;(c)distribution of foodgrains to the eligible households as per their entitlement and prices specified under the National Food Security Act, 2013 and as per instructions of the State Government;(d)regular, timely opening and closing of fair price shop;(e)awareness about Grievance Redressal Mechanism and their effectiveness in redressal of grievances of beneficiaries; and(f)use of technology in beneficiaries authentication and proper targeting.
