Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 11: Senior Congress leader and former Revenue Minister, Raman Bhalla today asked J&K UT Administration to ensure prompt ration suppy to the general public through CAPD ration outlets amidst Covid-pandemic.
In a press statement here today, Bhalla alleged that ration scarcity in Jammu amidst Covid-19 crisis, has exposed the tall claims of the BJP government’s promise to curb irregularities in the distribution system. He said ration shortage is forcing people to buy foodgrains from the black market.
Bhalla, who himself visited various ration outlets in Jammu city said all them of were found closed and a few without ration. He said the public is facing acute shortage of ration this time and the UT Administration was in deep slumber.
He said despite announcements of ambitious schemes to deal with the scarcity of flour, rice and sugar, Govt has failed to make much progress in streamlining the system and subsidised ration meant for Below Poverty Line (BPL) families rarely reaches them. There has been total mismanagement in ration distribution, which has created ‘’artificial scarcity’ of foodgrains. In Jammu CAPD directorate was lying headless.
Bhalla said across Jammu, consumers are not getting monthly ration and whatever is supplied is inadequate to meet their requirements. Under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana, ration is being provided at the rate of 35 kg per family per month but it is not made available, he alleged.
Former minister said the shortage of food is becoming a major cause of concern in Jammu. While there was urgent need to take special measures, no attention is being paid to Jammu and Kashmir, he said. In Jammu city people are suffering as the government is not bothering even to inquire about the availability of food items at the depots. Most people were left to fend for themselves with the Public Distribution system almost completely collapsed, he said.
Bhalla also demanded rapid up-gradation of health infrastructure and manpower; and swift re-adjustment of policies and programs with active association and participation of all stakeholders.
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