Kishtwar, June 25: Director, Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA) Jammu, Rajesh Kumar Shavan, concluded an extensive five-day tour of the remote and mountainous Marwah and Warwan regions of Kishtwar district to assess the functioning of the department and address public grievances related to the Public Distribution System (PDS) and supply of essential commodities.
During the visit, the Director inspected food stores at Matigawran and Mir Bazar and reviewed the availability and distribution of essential foodgrains. He also visited food stores and Fair Price Shops in Warwan, where he interacted with employees and local residents to obtain feedback on departmental services.
Residents expressed satisfaction over the department’s efforts in ensuring the regular and timely supply of quality foodgrains under the Public Distribution System despite the difficult terrain and limited connectivity of the region. The public particularly appreciated the department’s initiative of advance dumping of six months’ ration (June–November 2026) to safeguard against disruptions caused by adverse weather conditions and road blockades.
During public interactions, locals raised several issues, including enhancement of the existing ration scale, transfer and verification of LPG connections under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, improvement in LPG supply and allied services, and provision of subsidized kerosene oil for residents of these remote areas.
At Marwah, the Director visited Ranie, Yourdu and Nowpachi villages, where residents demanded repair and renovation of food stores at Inshan and Nowpachi, construction of a dedicated food store at Warwan, improvement of road connectivity to Food Store Nowpachi, and creation of residential and office infrastructure for departmental staff posted in the area.
Coinciding with International Day of Yoga>, the Director joined local civil administration officials and participated in a yoga session at Government Higher Secondary School Yourdu.
A notable highlight of the tour was the Director’s visit to Sukhnie, regarded as the last inhabited settlement in the region and situated at an altitude of over 9,000 feet above sea level. According to local residents, Mr. Shavan is the first Director of FCS&CA Jammu to visit this far-flung area.
The visit was warmly welcomed by the public, who projected several demands, including the establishment of additional sale depots closer to remote habitations to reduce hardships faced in accessing essential commodities.
Marwah and Warwan remain among the most inaccessible areas of Kishtwar district, where transportation of foodgrains is a major logistical challenge. Owing to prolonged winter road closures and difficult terrain, the department undertakes advance stocking of foodgrains for up to six months to ensure uninterrupted supplies to the population.
The Director assured the public that all genuine issues and demands raised during the tour would be examined and taken up with the competent authorities for appropriate action.
