A day after the government enhanced ration scale in the state under National Food Security Act, the decision evoked mixed reactions in the Valley.The implementation of the food law had sparked protests in the state, with people demanding increasing the scale of ration per head. Relenting to the protests, the Governor administration hiked the scale of ration on Monday and the decision evoked mixed response among the consumers.While talking to KNS, Muhammad Sidiq Khan, a resident of Fateh Kadal in old city said that just 2 kg’s of increase won’t bring any relief to the people. “We were earlier getting 35 kgs but the government‘s decision in this regard pushed us to the walls. Government should provide 35 kgs of rice to per ration card,” Khan said.
Aamir Ahmad from Khanyar told KNS that the decision to enhance the ration quota is a welcoming step. “The decision to enhance the ration quota in the state will bring some relief among the consumers,” he said.Mukhtar Ahmad, a resident of Habba Kadal said that the government has rubbed salt on their wounds. “We don’t need 7 kgs. If government is serious to provide relief to the people then they should issue the statement, which can bring respite among the people,” he said.
Farooq Ahmad Sheikh of Mehjoor Nagar told KNS that it should have been decided earlier. “The government faced people wrath in delaying to issue such kind of statement,” he said.Muhammad Akram Dar of Budgam told KNS that it is a good step as it accommodated the aspirations of people here. “It could have been better if the government could have increased it to 10 kgs,” he said.
The people living in South Kashmir areas hailed the government’s decision. “We feel bit respite since the government decided to enhance ration quota in the state,” said Basharat Ahmad from Achabal area of South Kashmir’s Anantnag district.
Arshid Ahmad Misger, a resident of Kadipora area of Anantnag district hailed the decision by saying that it is a good step and should have been taken earlier.Nusrat Yousuf, a woman from Anantnag said that the decision to enhance the ration quota in the state is a Kashmir friendly step as the Valley inhabitants who are rice eaters could get sufficient rice to eat.
“We are feeling happy since the government announced enhancement in ration quota as the 5 kgs of rice wasn’t enough for us but now it looks that it can bring respite among the people of Kashmir,” Zahoor Ahmad, a resident of Kulgam said.Farooq Ahmad Mir while talking to KNS correspondent said that the maximum of the people living in his area belongs to poor sector and the decision taken by government brought happiness among them.
“The government’s decision to increase the ration quota in the state needs appreciation. We were keen to hear such kind of decision,” Muhammad Shafi Wagay, a cricketer from Bijbehara said.Ashiq Hussain, a resident of Karnah told KNS that it cannot bring any relief among the people as the government should have increased it to 10 kgs. “But overall, the enhancement in the ration quota is good step,” he said.“It is a friendly step for Kashmiris and can bring respite among the people as they were talking streets against the department and termed the NFSA as anti-public, Bashir Ahmad Khan, a resident of Gulgam Kupwara said.Masood Ahmad Mir, a resident of Gaagal Lolab told KNS the decision to enhance the ration quota in the state is not any good step. “Government should take the decision which will accommodate the aspirations of people,” he said.“It is a welcoming step as the decision to enhance the ration quota won’t lead to starvation to the people,” Ghulam Muhammad Malla, a resident of Langate Payeen said. (KNS)