SRINAGAR: In a major move to bolster food security across Jammu and Kashmir, the Department of Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA) has announced an expansion of the region’s Public Distribution System (PDS). The new policy will now include children born between 2011 and 2016. This decision also aims to incorporate eligible residents who were previously excluded from the PDS.
The decision follows an in-depth review of the current PDS framework, guided by the Jammu and Kashmir Food Security Rules, 2021, and the Jammu and Kashmir Targeted Public Distribution System (Control) Order, 2023. These frameworks have been crucial in regulating the distribution of food grains, ration cards, and essential services throughout the region.
According to government order 47-JK(FCS&CA) of 2024, several key points have been outlined:
- Inclusion of Children Born Between 2011 and 2016: The order mandates that children born during these years be included in the appropriate PDS categories, such as AAY (Antyodaya Anna Yojana), PHH (Priority Households), NPHH (Non-Priority Households), or exclusion family cards. It is estimated that around nine lakh children will benefit from this inclusion.
- New Ration Cards for Orphaned Children: In cases where both parents of a child have passed away, new ration cards will be issued specifically for these children. Preferably, these cards will be issued in the name of a female family member. If no female member is available, the eldest male child will be designated as the ration card holder.
- Coverage for Left-Out Residents: The order also aims to extend PDS coverage to eligible residents who were previously not included. These individuals will now be provided with ration cards under the appropriate categories.
Currently, the PDS in Jammu and Kashmir covers 66.18 lakh beneficiaries under the AAY and PHH categories, along with 32.46 lakh individuals under the NPHH category. The new initiative seeks to extend this coverage to additional beneficiaries without overburdening the existing infrastructure. AAY households will continue to receive 35 kg of food grains per month, while PHH beneficiaries will receive 5 kg of food grains per person. NPHH beneficiaries will also benefit from subsidized rates, including rice at Rs 15/kg, wheat at Rs 12/kg, and wheat flour at Rs 13/kg.
The expansion of the PDS is part of a series of ongoing reforms, which have included Aadhaar seeding, e-KYC completion, and the deduplication of beneficiaries. These efforts have successfully removed many bogus or duplicate entries from the system, allowing for more accurate and efficient distribution of resources.
The government expressed confidence in its ability to provide increased food support across the region, thanks to these reforms and the newly available slots in the PDS. Technological advancements have played a crucial role in making the distribution system more transparent and user-friendly.
This latest directive reflects the government’s broader commitment to ensuring that no citizen is left behind, particularly when it comes to food security. With this expansion, children and previously excluded residents in Jammu and Kashmir can look forward to better access to essential commodities through a more inclusive Public Distribution System.
