16.64 lakh households in Jammu & Kashmir to receive free monthly rations
Vikram Sharma
JAMMU: The Jammu & Kashmir government has announced that 16.64 lakh households, comprising 66.82 lakh beneficiaries under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), are eligible to receive free food grains every month.
This information was shared by the Minister-in-Charge in the Legislative Assembly in response to a question raised by MLA Abdul Majid Larmi, who sought clarification on whether the government intended to enhance the ration quota for ration cardholders.
The government further elaborated that under the current scheme, every Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) household is entitled to receive 35 kg of food grains each month at no cost. Additionally, each beneficiary belonging to a Priority Household receives 5 kg of food grains per month, also free of charge.
Apart from these provisions, nearly 8.15 lakh Non-Priority Households, comprising approximately 31.70 lakh beneficiaries in Jammu & Kashmir, receive food grains at a subsidized rate of Rs. 15 per kg for rice, Rs. 72 per kg for wheat, and Rs. 13 per kg for wheat flour.
To address concerns regarding additional food assistance, the government mentioned that the Annual Financial Statement for 2025-26 includes a proposal to provide additional free food grains to AAY households. The specific details and implementation plans for this proposal are yet to be finalized.
In response to inquiries about issuing new ration cards to deserving families, the Minister clarified that the Department of Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs is consistently working to incorporate any left-out eligible households or beneficiaries into the Public Distribution System (PDS).
Standing orders have been issued to ensure that all eligible families are included as per their entitlement. However, the government reiterated that the bifurcation of ration cards has been halted under Government Order No. 85-CAPD of 2016, dated May 4, 2016. This decision was made to adhere to the coverage targets assigned for PDS, particularly for AAY households, which receive 35 kg of food grains per household.
Allowing bifurcation and issuing fresh ration cards would require additional food grain allocations and increase the burden on the Department of Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, affecting various other government schemes reliant on the PDS database.
Regarding the provision of sugar through ration depots, the government stated that the Department currently supplies sugar to AAY households under the J&K Special Sugar Scheme. Each AAY household receives 1 kg of sugar per month at a subsidized rate of Rs. 13.50 per kg.
This distribution is carried out in coordination with the Department of Food & Public Distribution, Government of India, and will continue as long as the scheme remains in place. However, at present, there are no plans to extend sugar distribution beyond AAY households.
On the matter of establishing new Fair Price Shops in areas with a population of at least 300 individuals and allocating them to unemployed local youth, the government affirmed that a framework has already been established under the Jammu & Kashmir Targeted Public Distribution System (Control) Order, 2023.
The opening and rationalization of Fair Price Shops have been addressed within this framework. However, since the assumption of office by the elected government, it has been considered prudent to involve elected representatives in determining the necessity for new Fair Price Shops across Jammu & Kashmir. Any necessary amendments to the framework will be made before proceeding with the establishment of new sale centers.
