J&K govt’s new scheme to provide 5 kg ration per head

This additional ration under MMSFES will cost the state government nearly Rs 1,500 crore per year

To address the grievance of general public about decrease in their scale of ration after the implementation of National Food Security Act in the state, Jammu Kashmir government on Monday decided to provide them 5 kgs ration per head from its side as well.

While all those covered under the state’s food distribution system will continue to get 5 kgs ration per head under NFSA, they will get another 5 kgs per head ration under state government’s newly floated Mufti Mohammad Sayeed Food Entitlement Scheme, said Education Minister Naeem Akhtar. Pointing out that a decision in this respect was taken at the cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, he said that the total ration to be provided to a family both under NFSA and MMSFES will have an upper ceiling of 35 kgs.

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However, while people will be provided atta the rate of Rs 2 per kgs and rice for Rs 3 per kg, they will have to pay Rs 13 per kg of atta and Rs 15 per kgs of rice provided under the MMSFES, Akhtar said. Providing this additional ration under MMSFES will cost the state government nearly Rs 1,500 crore per year, he added.

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Keeping in view the public preferences for ration in Kashmir and Jammu provinces, he said that while people in Valley and other adjoining hilly areas will get all rice, the scale of ration provided to those in Jammu will comprise of 75 per cent atta and 25 per cent rice.

The cabinet also approved the release of 6 per cent DA instalment due to its employees and pensions with effect from July 1, 2015. While it will be paid in cash to pensions, in the case of serving employees, it will be deposited in their GP Fund accounts. However, from now onwards, the employees will also get the DA installment in cash, Akhtar added.

The cabinet also approved increase in rate of pension with the increase in age of state government pensioners. While the increase will be 20 per cent of the basic pension in case of pensioners in the age group of 80-85 years, it will be 30 per cent in case of those between 85-90 years, 40 per cent (90-95 years) and 50 per cent (95-100 years). Those crossing 100 years will have 100 per cent increase in their basic pension, Akhtar added.

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