Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Choudhary, Zulfkar Ali today said the process of distribution of ration cards among the remaining consumers would be completed by the end of this month.Replying to a question by Sajjad Ahmad Kichloo, the Minister said the process of the issuance of ration cards is on and the consumers who have not received the ration cards till date can also download temporary ration tickets from the departmental website.Choudhary Zulfkar Ali said the shortage of wheat in some areas of Jammu will be overcome by the end of March. He said the department has divided the areas according to the consumption of rice and wheat and the ration will be distributed according to the preferences of these areas.The Minister said that after implementation for National Food Security Act (NFSA) in the state, the scale of ration was reduced but to supplement that the government introduced Mufti Mohammad Sayeed Food Entitlement Scheme (MMSFES) under which 5 Kilogram additional ration is provided to the consumers.The Minister said that there is no shortage of food grains in any area.
He said the department is keeping available three months advance ration in food godowns. He, however, said that additional ration quota in sale outlets would be also kept available on market rates.Giving further details about the distribution of ration, Choudhary Zulfkar Ali said that food grains are being distributed to 119 lakh souls of the state comprising 28 lakh families. He said under AAY ration is being provided at the rate of 35 Kg per family per month and under PHH/NPHH, 5 kgs per soul per month. He said besides under MMSFES 5 kg rice per soul is being given subject to the maximum 35 kg per month. He said food grains are being procured from Food Corporation of India (FCI).The Minister further informed that existing capacity of godown in Kishtwar area is 38000 quintals. He said the proposal for construction of new food godown in Kishtwar, like in other areas of the state, is under consideration of the government.The Minister further informed that there was no proposal for regularization of night chowkidars in the department.Legislators Ramesh Arora, Kaiser Jamsheed Lone and Dr Bashir Ahmad Veeri raised supplementary questions.