The Food Department plays a vital role in ensuring food security in Gilgit-Baltistan by performing five key functions such as procurement of wheat stock, transportation of wheat from Islamabad to Gilgit-Baltistan, storage of wheat stock in depots, distribution of wheat/flour to general public through authorized dealers, monitoring of wheat/flour distribution and implementation of Food Laws as per GB Food Act 2021.

1.

Procurement

The Food Department is responsible for procuring wheat from various PASSCO centers in Punjab, ensuring a steady supply of wheat to meet the region's needs. This critical function involves negotiating prices, managing logistics, and ensuring the quality of wheat procured.

2 Transportation

The Food Department coordinates the transportation of wheat from PASSCO centers to the base go-down in Islamabad and subsequently to various depots in Gilgit-Baltistan. This involves managing a fleet of vehicles, ensuring timely delivery, and safeguarding the wheat during transit.

3 Storage

The Food Department stores wheat in Civil Supplies depots across Gilgit-Baltistan, issuing it to flour mills as per standing mill orders. This function requires effective inventory management, ensuring the wheat is stored in a secure and dry environment to maintain its quality.

4 Distribution

The Food Department distributes subsidized wheat and flour to the general public through authorized dealers, following established SOPs. This function aims to ensure that subsidized food items reach the intended beneficiaries, supporting food security in the region.

5 Monitoring

The Food Department conducts strict monitoring over dealers to ensure fair distribution, establishing check posts to monitor the movement of subsidized wheat and flour. Additionally, the department exercises control over flour mills and tests food samples in the Food Lab to ensure quality, guaranteeing that the public receives safe and wholesome food.

6 Implementation of Food Laws

The Food Department is responsible for implementing Food Laws as per the Gilgit-Baltistan Food Act 2021, enforcing regulations and standards to ensure the quality and safety of food items. This function involves inspections, testing, and enforcement actions to prevent adulteration and ensure compliance with food safety norms.