Commissionerate of Civil Supplies

The Civil Supplies Department discharges the important responsibilities of Public Distribution, enforcement of market discipline, and promotion of consumer awareness and protection of their interest. In the '60s and '70s, it won many accolades for its pioneering achievements in the implementation of the Universal Rationing System. The Department of Civil Supplies functions under the Department of Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Affairs of the Government of Kerala. The Commissioner of Civil Supplies is the Principal Head of the Department and Principal Advisor to the Minister in charge of Food & Civil Supplies. The Director of Civil Supplies is the administrative head of the Department of Civil Supplies. He exercises the statutory functions entrusted to him under the Kerala Rationing Order 1966, PDS (Control) Order, 2001, and other control orders issued by the Government of Kerala under the Essential Commodities Act.

 The Civil Supplies Department discharges the important responsibilities of Public Distribution enforcement of market discipline and promotion of consumer awareness and protection of their interests. The Public Distribution System came into existence in the state with effect from 01/07/1965. A state which has a very high deficit in the production of food grains, the PDS has great relevance and importance. Keeping in view the importance and need to promote consumer awareness and protection of human rights, the Government has formed a separate wing in the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department in the secretariat to attend to the subject, Consumer Affairs. Similarly, a Consumer Affairs Cell has been formed in the Commissionerate of Civil Supplies.

The functions carried out by the Department can be broadly divided into the following three categories.

1. Control of Rationing and marketing of essential commodities
   In a state, that had a very high deficit in the production of food grains, the PDS has great relevance and importance. Timely lifting of commodities allocated from the central pool and ensuring distribution of the same through more than 14000 ration shops and ensuring timely lifting and distribution of the same is a major function of the Department. The Department keeps vigil to discourage and prevent hoardings and black marketing of essential commodities.
2. Consumer Affairs
   Keeping in view the importance and need for the promotion of consumer awareness and protection of their rights, the Government of Kerala formed a separate wing in the Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department in the secretariat to attend to the subject, of Consumer Affairs. This wing works under the Additional Secretary to the Government with supporting staff. Accordingly, a Consumer Affairs Cell has been formed in the Commissionerate of Civil Supplies.
3. Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission (CDRC) and Fora (CDRFs)
   As per the Consumer Protection Act 1986, the Government of Kerala set up the State Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission and the Consumer  Dispute Redressal Fora at three regional places. On 03/10/1991, separate fora were established for all the 14 districts. Now the State Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission, which is the state-level apex body and 14 district fora are functioning in full full-fledged manner.
4. Distribution of Kerosene
   Distribution of kerosene is governed by the Kerala Kerosene Control Order, 1968 promulgated by the State Government under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. As per this order, a sufficient number of Kerosene Wholesale Dealers (KWDs) are appointed by the District Collector concerned and these KWDs lift the stock of kerosene allotted to them every month by the Departmental Officers from respective companies, IOC, BPC, IBP, and HPC and make it available for distribution to the ARDs who in turn lift the stock allotted to them and distributed to the card holders. The scale of distribution is 0.5 liters per month for electrified houses and 4 liters per month for non-electrified houses for lighting purposes.  2532 kl Kerosene is issued for fishing purposes minimum deposit of Rs 2500 at their order.