Srinagar, Mar 11: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Tuesday said that 74,071 new ration cards have been issued since September 2022, ensuring that left-out households are included under the Public Distribution System (PDS).
As per news agencies, Minister Satish Sharma, in response to a question by MLA Rajiv Jasrotia in the Legislative Assembly, stated that the government has taken continuous measures to cover all eligible families. “Since the transition to the Ration Card Management System (RCMS), 28,996 ration cards have been issued under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) and 45,075 under the Non-Priority Household (NPHH) category,” the minister said.
The government also informed that J&K currently has 6,630 sale outlets, including Fair Price Shops (FPS) and Government Sale Centres. To further enhance access, the Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs (FCSCA) Department is planning to open new Fair Price Shops across Jammu and Kashmir, in accordance with the J&K Targeted Public Distribution System (Control) Order 2023.
Minister Sharma stated that priority will be given to panchayats and other areas lacking FPS facilities, and a reassessment of the existing framework is underway. “Since the elected government has assumed office, it has been decided to involve elected members in identifying new locations for Fair Price Shops to ensure better access for beneficiaries,” he said.
He also mentioned that food grains under the NPHH category are being provided at 5 kg per person per month, with approved rates of ₹15 per kg for rice, ₹12 per kg for wheat, and ₹13 per kg for wheat flour. The government reiterated that standing orders have been issued to include any left-out eligible families under the Public Distribution System (PDS).
