Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 13: Minister for CAPD and senior National Conference Leader, Ch. Mohammad Ramzan today rejected the contention made by senior Congress leader regarding the implementation of National Food Security Act (NFSA) in Jammu and Kashmir and bringing in Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister unnecessarily in this subject.
He described the assertion made by Ghulam Nabi Azad as imaginary and far from truth. He said the Coalition Government did not implement the Act in the State as it was debarring over 50 lakh people from receiving food grains at subsidized rates.
Ch. Ramzan said that under the NFSA only 75% rural population and 50% urban population is to be covered and provided subsidized ration. He said at present State Government is receiving ration for 99 lakh population on the basis of the 2001 Census and some additional adhoc allotment to meet the food grains requirement of increased population. He said the State Government has repeatedly asked the Centre to allot food grains as per the 2011 Census which has not been agreed till date.
“Had we implemented NFSA, about 50 lakh population of the State would have remained out of the food coverage at subsidized rates, as such it was not in any way wiser for the State to put its people in trouble”, he said and added that giving a political dimension to this issue and, that too, by a senior Congress leader who has served as Chief Minister of the State is very unfortunate and uncalled for.
He said unless the State Government’s request for allotting food grains, as per the 2011 Census, to the State is agree to by the Centre, the implementation of NFSA is in no way in the interest of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
“Instead of creating confusion on the issue, the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha should hold the then Congress-led UPA Union Government responsible for failing to accept the plea of the State Government for providing food grains as per the 2011 Census”, Ch. Ramzan said and advised the senior Congress leader not to open a pandora’s box. He said such ill-founded and baseless statements will boomerang on him and his party.
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