50% decrease in rice allocation in last 3 years
Suhail Bhat
SRINAGAR, June 11: Residents of Jammu and Kashmir are expressing anguish over a 50% reduction in the ration quota over the last three years, with each individual in a Priority Household (PHH) category now receiving only 5 kilograms of rice instead of the average 10 kilograms, leading to discontent among the people regarding their food needs.
The residents expressed their discontent and uncertainty due to a decrease in their ration quota. The situation has raised concerns regarding their capacity to meet their fundamental need, which is ensuring access to a sufficient food supply.
They said the region was facing the worst-ever crisis in terms of food grain distribution, leaving people feeling marginalized and deprived. They demanded that the Government provide them with an ample supply of food grains to alleviate their plight.
Expressing her frustration, Sara Bano, a resident of Srinagar, highlighted that the current rice allocations were insufficient for her family of four. She said that they donated more rice to beggars in the past than what the Government is currently providing, suggesting that they were being treated like beggars. “We are a family of four and receive only 20 kilograms of rice every month, which is insufficient even for two people,” she said.
She further highlighted that the skyrocketing prices of essential items were already making it difficult to run their households, and the scarcity of food grains had added extra pressure to their already strained budgets.
Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed a significant decline in the allocation of rice over the past three years. According to data obtained from the Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CAPD) department, the available figures indicate a staggering decrease of 2004 quintals in rice supply to the region.
The data revealed a clear downward trajectory in rice allocation, with the most recent allocation recorded at 2496 quintals in March 2023. Comparatively, this represents a stark reduction from the initial allocation of 4500 quintals in June 2019. The decline continued steadily, hitting a low point of 2190 quintals in July 2022.
An official at the CAPD department shed light on the reasons behind the decline in food grain allocation. Previously, he said, Jammu and Kashmir’s residents received rice through two schemes: the National Food Security Act and the Jammu and Food Entitlement Scheme.
“These schemes provided 10 kilograms of food per person. Additionally, the Government distributed a free ration of extra 5 kilograms under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) program from the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic until January of last year,” he said.
He said during the previous Governments, families classified as Below Poverty Line (BPL), now called PHH, used to receive 7 kilograms of ration per person, with a maximum limit of 35 kilograms. Families, he said, classified as Above Poverty Line (APL), now known as NPHH, used to receive 13 kilograms of ration per person at the landed cost.
He said this disparity becomes more apparent when comparing the allocations to States like Karnataka, where the average rice consumption is around 10 kilograms per person. “These States distribute closer to the required amount, leaving Jammu and Kashmir residents at a significant disadvantage with a shortfall of 5 kilograms per person compared to the average,” he said.
Abdul Sattar, Director of Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution, expressed his commitment to addressing the issue. “I will take the matter up with the concerned authorities and work towards finding a resolution,” he said.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
