The Jammu and Kashmir government today announced it would provide ration to the people of the state as per 2011 census, despite shortfall in ration allocation from the Centre.
"People would be provided ration on subsidised rates by the state government as per 2011 census till the Government of India releases additional quota projected by J&K," Minister for Consumer affairs and Pubic distribution Choudhary Zulfkar told reporters here today.
He said the announcement is in tune with the commitment made by the PDP-BJP Coalition government in its 'Agenda for Alliance'.
He said all the Deputy Commissioners have been asked to provide, within one month, village-wise list of beneficiaries under different categories.
At present the state government is providing ration to 19.72 lakh families with one crore one lakh members as per the 2001 census and as per the 2011 census, the requirement is for 22.73 lakh families with 1.25 crore members, he said.
The state government is getting ration from Centre, Food Corporation of India (FCI) for 18.02 lakh families with 99.45 lakh people as per projected population for 2000 resulting in shortfall of 16,500 metric tons per month.
He said the rations are presently being provided under four categories including BPL, Annapurna, Annatodya, and APL. In order to fill the shortfall, the minister said, the matter has already been taken up with the Central Government and issue is being pursued at various forums.
Referring to renewal/issuance of new ration cards, Zulfkar said that for this purpose the Jammu and Kashmir Bank has been given one month for the printing of new ration cards.
Enumerating the measures to be taken by the department to check pilferage of ration, the minister said that GPS system is being put in place to track the movement of vehicles carrying the ration. He said e-transfer mechanism is also being adopted to check corruption.
He also announced that electronic weighing machines will be installed at all the Fair Price Shops soon.
