Though late Mufti Muhammad Sayeed’s Government had given its nod to the implementation of National Food Security Act, yet on the ground a number of questions and difficulties were felt by the consumers. Many complaints have been made by the public about either the ration is not available on depots or it is insufficient for their families. We feel that more patience should have been shown in implementing the Act and all its ramifications should have been taken into account before the final step was taken. The Government has to find out a way that the NFSA is properly implemented because of many good things that it can provide and because there is little sense in withdrawing it. Apparently, the Government has tried to find a middle path. It has not scrapped the NFSA but at the same time it has inducted the Mufti Mohammad Sayeed Food Entitlement Scheme (MMSFES) to supplement the National Food Security Act (NFSA). Under this scheme, all those persons who are covered under the State’s public distribution system will get additional 5 kgs of ration per person in addition to 5 kgs of ration they are entitled to get under NFSA. The quantum of additional food grains would be 5 Kg per soul subject to a maximum ceiling of 35 Kg per family.
We think this is a reasonable approach to the problem and should be acceptable to all stakeholders. The crux of the matter is that ration should be made available to the consumers even if they are based in the farthest nook of the State. Nobody should go empty stomach to the bed. The Government of Mehbooba Mufti deserves appreciation for making a pragmatic approach to the problem of food supplies in the State.
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel