Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 21: The people in the J&K State would get ration as per the projected population of 1.36 crore, worked out by respective Deputy Commissioners from September 2015 while the blanket ban on the issuance of new rations cards/ bifurcation will be continued till the Government implements Food Security Act in the State.
Announcing this at a press conference here this afternoon, Minister for CAPD and Tribal Affairs, Ch Zulfkar Ali said that the population in the J&K state as per 2011 Census is 1.25 crore and the respective Deputy Commissioners as per new survey conducted have worked out the projected population of 1.36 crore. The CAPD Department is presently distributing ration to 99.47 lakh population as per 2000 Census. From September 1 next month, the J&K people will be provided ration on existing scale for uncovered/ additional families based on the authenticated lists provided by the respective DCs, which have been formulated on the basis of the report of the committee constituted vide Govt order No. 33-CAPD of 2015 dated 16-4-2015.
Giving more details, Mr Ali said that there were 18.02 lakh ration ticket holders and now the ration cards/ tickets holders as per new survey have reached 24.72 lakh families. Now, the State Government would provide ration to 6.70 lakh additional families. The State was getting 7.56 lakh MTs of food grains per month from the Govt of India/ FCI and now there is additional requirement of 2.81 lakhs MTs of food grains as per increased population. The total requirement of food grains to the State would be 10.38 lakh MTs.
Ch Zulfkar further disclosed that State’s food procurement cost would increase from Rs 474 crores to Rs Rs 647.32 crores and there will be additional requirement of Rs 54.50 crore on account of handling and transport charges. The State will require a total amount of Rs 701.82 crores per month for lifting full quota of ration for the J&K rationees. And moreover, the funds required for the purpose will be met out from the State plan, the Minister maintained.
Replying to a question, the minister said the ban on the issuance of new ration cards/ bifurcation will be continued till the Food Security Act is implemented in the State. He claimed that National Food Security Act is under active consideration of the State Government. The Minister, however, avoided to give any time frame for the same. To plug the leakage or pilferage in the distribution system, Ch Zulfkar said that village level and ward level committees involving Sarpanchs, Numberdars, Patwaris and Corporators etc are being framed to closely monitor the ration supply to their respective areas. They will provide the full information to the concerned TSOs/ ADs and dealers would get a certificate from them for each consignment. Moreover, departmental vigilance committees will also monitor the distribution system and check leakage of ration, the Minister added.
Follow our WhatsApp channel