Strengthening Food Security Governance: Varanasi Holds District-Level Vigilance Committee Meeting Under NFSA
December 9, 2025
By PVCHR Blog Desk
Varanasi took an important step toward improving transparency, accountability, and community participation in the food security system with the convening of the District-Level Vigilance Committee Meeting under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013. The meeting, held on 9 December 2025 at 1:00 PM, was chaired by the Additional District Magistrate (ADM – Finance & Revenue) and brought together key government officials and civil-society representatives.
This meeting followed an official communication issued by the District Supply Officer (DSO), Varanasi, letter number 1751/जि0पू0अ0-सतर्कता समिति/2025 dated 05 December 2025, mandating the quarterly district vigilance review as per NFSA guidelines.
🌾 Purpose of the Meeting
Under the Uttar Pradesh Food Safety Rules, 2015, Chapter 3, Rule 9(3) requires regular convening of district-level vigilance committees to:
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Review the functioning of Public Distribution System (PDS)
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Monitor fair price shops
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Ensure transparency in ration allocation
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Resolve grievances related to food grain distribution
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Strengthen accountability of officials and PDS dealers
The December meeting aligned with the 4th quarter review of 2025 (October–December).
👥 Participants
The official letter invited a wide range of stakeholders, including:
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Smt. Snehlata Set, Hon’ble President, Mandal Gangapur
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Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi, Secretary General, People’s Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR)
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Shri Uday Kumar Srivastava, Chairman, Purvanchal Upbhokta Kalyan Sansthan
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District Agriculture Officer
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District Probation Officer
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District Basic Education Officer
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District Programme Officer (Child Development)
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Chief Medical Officer
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District Food Marketing Officer
Their presence ensured multi-sectoral oversight, citizen participation, and a rights-based approach to food governance.
🏛️ Key Discussions & Outcomes
1. Strengthening transparency in PDS functioning
The committee reviewed challenges related to ration distribution, dealer compliance, stock availability, and timely delivery.
2. Enhancing community monitoring
Civil society organizations such as PVCHR emphasized the need for grievance redressal mechanisms, social audits, and beneficiary awareness.
3. Addressing beneficiary grievances
Issues like Aadhaar seeding, biometric failures, and irregularities in distribution were taken up for corrective action.
4. Improving inter-departmental coordination
Officials discussed better coordination among departments like food supply, health, education, and ICDS for effective beneficiary outreach.
5. Ensuring compliance with NFSA norms
The meeting reinforced that NFSA is a legal entitlement, not a welfare favor, and must be implemented with dignity and accountability.
📸 Glimpses from the Meeting
The photographs show senior officials and civil society representatives actively participating in the session, symbolizing collaborative governance:
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Discussions among district authorities
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Presence of PVCHR Secretary General Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi
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Multi-departmental coordination under the NFSA framework
(Photos as provided above)
🌟 Why This Meeting Matters
Food security is a constitutional and moral responsibility. The district vigilance committee plays a crucial role in ensuring that:
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Every entitled household receives its rightful food grains
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Leakages are minimized
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Poor and marginalized communities are not excluded
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Public distribution remains transparent and accountable
Such meetings strengthen the democratic spirit of NFSA by ensuring that citizens, civil society, and government officials work together to uphold food rights.
The December 9, 2025 meeting marks a significant step in reaffirming Varanasi’s commitment to food justice, transparency, and accountable governance. PVCHR and other civil society partners continue to advocate and contribute toward making the food security system more inclusive and rights-oriented.
A strong, vigilant, and collaborative food distribution system ensures that no family sleeps hungry in a democracy.
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