Congress has asked its ministers in the state cabinet to raise and put in their efforts to implement food security bill in Jammu and Kashmir. Sources in Congress said in a marathon meeting held on June 20 evening at the Zethyar residence of Ghulam Nabi Azad which lasted for over four and a half hours discussed the party’s strategy to approach the people ahead of assembly elections. The meeting which started at 6 PM and concluded at 10:30 PM was attended by all party ministers in the state cabinet besides PCC president Prof Saiffudin Soz.The meeting highlighted the problems faced by the people especially in hilly and Kandi areas of the state.
The meeting discussed the strategy and issues with which the party will approach people and seek their votes in upcoming assembly elections. The former chief minister of the state expressed concern over the non availability of ration to people living in hilly and Kandi areas of the state. Sources added that Azad raised issues of infrastructural development specifically implementation of food security bill which will provide ration at the lowest cost of Rs 1 per kilogram to people falling under below poverty line and Rs 2 and Rs 3 to people above poverty line in the state.The former union health minister asked the congress ministers in the state to raise and implement the food security bill in the state as has been implemented in rest of the country. Azad also laid emphasis on upgradation of schools and primary health centres in the state.
Both Azad and Prof Soz flew to New Delhi on June 21 (Saturday) to apprise the Congress president Sonia Gandhi in a meeting which was attended by incharge Jammu and Kashmir affairs Ambika Soni. The meeting decided to hold a crucial meeting which will be chaired by Ms Soni at SKICC on June 23. While Prof Soz has returned to Srinagar, Azad and Ms Soni are arriving in Srinagar on Monday.