Government increased coverage under Public Distribution System

Srinagar Srinagar, In a significant step aimed at strengthening food security in Jammu and Kashmir, the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department of the Jammu and Kashmir government has enhanced inclusion measures under the Public Distribution System (PDS). This was disclosed by Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Transport, Science and Technology, Information Technology, Youth Services and Sports and ARI and Training Satish Sharma while interacting with the media here today. “As per Government Order No. 47-JK (FCS&CA) 2024, the new directive makes it mandatory to include children aged six years and above in the family ration card. These children will be included under the relevant categories such as Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY), Priority Households (PHH), Non-Priority Households (NPHH) or exclusion as per the existing guidelines,” the minister said. The Minister further said that to ensure that no eligible citizen is left behind, the FCS&CA Department has been directed to identify previously left out eligible beneficiaries and include them in the PDS framework following the established norms.

The Minister emphasized, “A notable provision of the order relates to the inclusion of widows and divorcees, who were earlier not covered under the system. On intimation to the Department, such persons will be eligible for issuance of separate ration cards based on their financial status and eligibility under the National Food Security Act (NFSA).” The Minister further said that this initiative reaffirms the Government’s commitment towards promoting inclusive access to food and essential supplies, especially among the vulnerable sections of the society.