Authorities Highlight Potential Challenges in Splitting Ration Cards
JAMMU, Mar 20: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has ruled out initiating the bifurcation of ration cards, citing challenges in arranging additional food grains and the broader implications on Public Distribution System (PDS) schemes.
Responding to a query from BJP MLA Balwant Singh Mankotia in the Legislative Assembly, Minister for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Satish Sharma stated that bifurcation would increase the burden on the department under various government schemes that rely on PDS data. He, however, clarified that eligible left-out family members are being added to ration cards regularly.
Sharma informed the House that the government had stopped ration card bifurcation under Government Order No. 85-GAPD of 2016, issued on May 4, 2016, to meet family coverage targets under PDS, particularly for Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households, where the entitlement is 35 kg per household. He added that children born between 2011 and 2016 had been incorporated into household ration cards to meet growing food requirements.
The discussion turned heated when NC MLA Aijaz Jan confronted BJP’s Mankotia, reminding him that the BJP had been in power for the past 10 years. “Your party was in power since 2016, so you must admit your failure,” Jan remarked. In response, Mankotia defended the BJP, highlighting that the Modi government provided free ration in Jammu and Kashmir as well as across the country.
Sharma further revealed that 98.52 lakh beneficiaries in AAY, PHH, and NPHH categories have been covered under PM Ration Yojana, including 56,977 beneficiaries in Chenani Constituency. He announced plans to open 1,600 new Fair Price Shops across J&K under the J&K Targeted Public Distribution System and sought BJP’s support in approaching the Centre for an enhanced ration quota.
Seizing the opportunity, NC MLA Aijaz Jan taunted the BJP, stating, “I will also go to Delhi with you to expose your failures.”
The Minister concluded by detailing current ration coverage figures, with 8.72 lakh beneficiaries under AAY, 58.10 lakh under PHH, and 31.70 lakh under NPHH, reiterating the government’s commitment to food security in the region. (AGENCIES)
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