Avinash Azad
In a crucial discussion during the Legislative Assembly, MLA Bani, Dr. Rameshwar Singh, questioned the government on the delay in issuing new ration cards in Jammu and Kashmir. Seeking clarity, he asked whether it was a fact that new ration cards had not been issued and, if so, the reasons behind the delay.
Responding to the query, the Jammu and Kashmir government stated that the Department of Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs has consistently worked to bring eligible households under the Public Distribution System (PDS). The government confirmed that since the shift to the Ration Card Management System in September 2022, a total of 28,996 new ration cards under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) and 45,075 under the Non-Priority Household (NPHH) category have been issued to deserving beneficiaries, including e-Shram registrants previously left out of the PDS.
However, the government also clarified that the bifurcation of ration cards was halted in 2016 under Government Order No. 85-CAPD, dated May 4, 2016. The decision was taken to adhere to family coverage targets under the PDS, especially for Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households, which receive 35 kg of food grains per household. Officials emphasized that issuing fresh ration cards through bifurcation would require additional food grain allocations and impact various other government welfare schemes relying on the PDS database. The government further stated that the bifurcation of ration cards can only be considered if and when the Department of Food & Public Distribution, Government of India, revises the household targets.
