Minister for Consumer Affairs & Public Distribution Department (CA&PD) Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali on Friday said that there is no shortage of essential commodities in Kashmir Valley.Reviewing the stock and supply position and distribution process across the Valley, the Minister said that 1295 truckloads of essential commodities have crossed Lower Munda while there is sufficient stock of LPG for 17 days and Petroleum products for one month in Kashmir.“There is no shortage of essential commodities in the Valley and the CA&PD Department is having sufficient stock which is being distributed in every corner of Kashmir,” he said.Giving details of distribution process, the CAPD Minister said that against the 452497 quintals of food grains released for the month of July 2016, CAPD has till date distributed 2,95,010 quintals which is 65 per cent. About the sugar distribution, Minister said that against 47712 quintals required to be distributed during the month of July, 31,000 quintals have been distributed. He said that in Srinagar city, sugar distribution has touched 100 per cent mark. The Minister said that CAPD has distributed 28300.13 quintals of food grains in Anantnag district, 55410.88 quintals in Baramulla, 21875.38 quintals in Bandipora, 30925 quintals in Budgam, 14380 quintals in Ganderbal, 43800 quintal in Kupwara, 11984 quintals in Kulgam, 28840 quintals in Pulwama, 7821 quintals in Shopian, 37400 quintals in Srinagar city, 7169 in Leh and 6996 quintal in Kargil districts.
About the LPG stock, Minister said that during the month of July, 2,03,702 LPG cylinders have so far been distributed among the consumers in the Valley against an average monthly consumption of 3.90 Lac LPG cylinders. He said that there are 2.37 lakh LPG cylinders in stock in the Valley which are available with the LPG dealers/Companies which is sufficient for 17 days. He added that in order to streamline the delivery of LPG in the Valley credit facilities have been extended to all the dealers as the RTGS system of payment was affected due to current scenario.“We have a sufficient stock of petroleum products in Valley,” he said, adding that about 2314 kilometers of petrol is available in Valley which is sufficient for 16 days. “10839 KLs of HSD is available which is sufficient for 31 days and 5330 KLs of SKO (K.Oil) is available which is sufficient for two months,” he said.About the availability of vegetables and milk, Minister said that local vegetables are available in maximum parts of valley, however for Srinagar City the Vegetables Mandi is functioning during night. He said that the Mandi receives vegetables from vegetable growing areas from 11 PM to 3 AM in the morning and dispatch the same from 4 AM to 9 AM to various areas of Srinagar City. Similarly Milk carrying Vans also move during wee hours till 7 AM in the morning for distribution of packed milk. The Department has arranged Curfew Passes for drivers of Milk Vans/Vegetable Vans so that they are able to move around with Milk and Vegetables.
While giving details about the import of essential commodities, the Minister said that during last few days 1295 trucks carrying essential commodities like kiryana items, vegetables, rice, wheat, poultry birds, sheep, LPG etc. to Kashmir crossed Lower Munda Check Post. He informed on the directions of the Chief Minister, Ms Mehbooba Mufti CAPD would give free food-grains for poorest of the poor families who were getting rations under Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and whose bread-winners are not able to earn anything because of the prevailing law and order situation in Kashmir. He said for this purpose, Mohalla, Masjid committees’ help would be sought to for the effective distribution of the essential commodities. “We would ensure that no such family which depends on day-to-day earnings for their bread and butter should suffer for want of food because of the prevailing law and order situation,” he said.The Minister appreciated CAPD officials, dealers and Ghat Munshi’s for efficient performance shown in current times. He said that the services of these employees and dealers have been acknowledged who have played vital role in supplying ration to the people during difficult times. He also appreciated people for smooth traffic of ration vehicles in Valley and assured that his department is monitoring the whole system of supply of essential commodities and there will be no shortage of any essential commodity in Valley.