Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 16: The food scarcity has badly affected the people across the region as the CAPD authorities have miserably failed to ensure essential supplies to many areas.
Reports from remote areas of Reasi, Udhampur, Kathua, Ramban, Doda, Kishtwar, Rajouri and Poonch revealed that during the month of February and even till today in March, the concerned district authorities failed to ensure adequate food-grain supply to the consumers. The public has been forced to purchase ration in black from the market. While sugar supply was ensured to many areas but the people were also suffering due suspension of kerosene oil supply to many districts.
Due to recent rains and snowfall, the power supply to the many hilly, border and rural areas has been affected. The people under such conditions are mainly dependent on the kerosene oil but the department has failed to provide kerosene oil quota to various districts and tehsils this month.
Sources in CAPD disclosed that during the month of February, State Government failed to release funds for the food supplies. The consumers mostly remained high and dry. The funds were released only on February 28 and thereafter, the process of procurement, releasing and grinding of wheat in the mills started. The quota of March is yet to be released and distributed to the consumers. While some parts of Jammu city received the atta/ sugar supply but most of the areas in other districts are facing crisis. The many ration dealers claimed that they deposited money with the department in advance about 15-20 days back but supply has not been provided till March 16. The dealers also alleged that they are not being provided full quota by the TSOs concerned and they are made to face the wrath of the consumers.
Director CAPD Jammu, G S Chib when contacted admitted that due to delay in receiving funds in February, the food supply in some areas of the region has been affected. He said there was no liability of the CAPD towards FCI now but they receive money from us in advance for procurement of foodgrains. Mr Chib said that sugar supply was normal but only procurement of wheat and supply could not be ensured well in time. He claimed that about 17 mills have been engaged in the grinding process and it also takes some time. He claimed that by the end of March, full quota will be provided to the consumers.
Regarding kerosene oil quota, Dy Director CAPD Jammu Atamdev Singh said that due to stay by court, the quota of March 2015 could not be released. He said that in February 3444 kiloliters of Kerosene oil was released out of which 360 KL was provided to Rajouri and 272 KL to Poonch districts.
Minister for CAPD, Zulfkar Choudhary, when contacted said that funds was the main issue behind the delay in supplies. He said after taking over the charge as minister, he took up the matter with the Finance Minister and got the funds released for the food grains. He said in some areas the distribution process has been started and within next two weeks entire region will be covered. Mr Choudhary said that he himself was closely monitoring the supply situation and kerosene quota will also be provided to the consumers shortly.
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