Department of Food, Public Distribution & Consumer Affairs (Jharkhand)

Department of Food, Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs

खाद्य, सार्वजनिक वितरण एवं उपभोक्ता मामले विभाग
Department overview
Jurisdiction	Government of Jharkhand
Headquarters	Ranchi, Jharkhand
Minister responsible	Irfan Ansari, Minister of Department of Food, Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs
Department executive	Uma Shankar Singh, IAS, Secretary (Food, Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs)
Parent department	Government of Jharkhand
Website	Official website

The Department of Food, Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs is a department under the Government of Jharkhand, responsible for ensuring food security, regulating the public distribution system (PDS), consumer protection, and related welfare measures in the state. ^{[1] [2]} The department oversees the procurement, storage, and distribution of food grains, particularly rice and wheat, to eligible households under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) and other state-level schemes. ^{[3] [4] [5]}

The department also implements consumer welfare programmes, enforces the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, monitors essential commodities, and prevents black-marketing and hoarding. ^{[6] [7] [8]}

Structure and administration

The department is headed by a Cabinet Minister of the Government of Jharkhand. Its administration is managed by the Secretary, an officer of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), assisted by Additional Secretaries, Joint Secretaries, and Directors handling various divisions such as Food & Civil Supplies, Consumer Affairs and Enforcement. ^[2]

At present, the current minister of Food, Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs is Irfan Ansari. ^{[9] [10]}

Functions

• Implementation of the Public Distribution System (PDS) in Jharkhand. ^{[1] [11]}
• Distribution of subsidised food grains to beneficiaries under NFSA, Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and Green Card holders under. JSFSS. ^{[3] [12]}
• Procurement and storage of food grains through the Food Corporation of India (FCI) and state agencies.
• Enforcement of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 and prevention of black-marketing.
• Protection of consumer rights and redressal of grievances. ^[8]

See also

• Government of Jharkhand
• Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution

References

1. "Official website of Food, Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs, Government of Jharkhand". aahar.jharkhand.gov.in. Retrieved 12 Sep 2025.
2. "Department of Food, Public Distribution & Consumer Affairs | Who's Who". www.jharkhand.gov.in. Retrieved 2025-09-11.
3. "NFSA - Jharkhand". nfsa.gov.in. Retrieved 12 Sep 2025.
4. "Jharkhand State Food & Civil Supplies Corporation Limited| Home :: Government of Jharkhand". sfcjharkhand.in. Retrieved 2025-09-11.
5. "Integrated Government Online Directory". goidirectory.gov.in. Retrieved 2025-09-11.
6. "Jharkhand minister orders suspension of SFC official". Business Standard. Retrieved 12 Sep 2025.
7. Bharat, E. T. V. (2020-10-15). "अनाज के कालाबाजारी के खिलाफ पुलिस और खाद्य आपूर्ति विभाग की संयुक्त छापेमारी, 1 को दबोचा". ETV Bharat News (in Hindi). Retrieved 2025-09-11.
8. "DFCA, Government of Jharkhand". pgms.dfcajharkhand.in. Retrieved 2025-09-11.
9. Kumar, Satyajeet (2024-12-07). "Hemant Soren allocates portfolios to ministers, keeps Home Ministry". India Today. Retrieved 2025-09-11.
10. Service, Express News (2024-12-06). "Jharkhand CM Soren distributes portfolios: Radha Krishna gets finance, Irfan is health minister". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2025-09-11.
11. "Jharkhand State Food Commission". jharkhandsfc.in. Retrieved 2025-09-11.
12. "झारखंड ग्रीन कार्ड धारकों के लिए खुशखबरी! अब महीने में किसी भी दिन ले सकेंगे राशन". www.livehindustan.com (in Hindi). 2025-08-07. Retrieved 2025-09-11.