Jammu Kashmir Launches Prime Minister's Food Supplementation Scheme: Ensuring Food Security for Priority Households

In a significant move to address food security concerns, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha launched the 'Prime Minister's Food Supplementation for Priority Households Scheme' in Jammu Kashmir. The primary objective of this scheme is to reinforce food security for marginalized sections of society, ensuring that every household has access to affordable and sufficient quantities of food.

Addressing a press conference at Raj Bhawan, Lieutenant Governor Sinha emphasized the importance of a welfare state where the resources of the government serve the rights of the poor. He stated that all policies, in essence, should be driven by human emotions and focus on uplifting the downtrodden. The Prime Minister's Food Supplementation Scheme embodies this vision, aiming to provide a dignified life for all poor families.

Under the existing Antyodaya Anna Yojana, 2.29 lakh households in Jammu Kashmir receive 35 kg of food grains per household, benefitting the poorest of the poor. To further strengthen food security, the new scheme extends support to Priority Households (PHH) by providing an additional 5 kg of food grains per person free of cost.

After understanding the concerns raised by some beneficiaries regarding sustaining the quantity of rice provided, the government took decisive action. The 'Prime Minister's Food Supplementation for Priority Households Scheme' introduces an additional allocation of 10 kg of rice to PHH beneficiaries, alongside their existing ration at subsidized rates.

In Jammu Kashmir, there are approximately 14.32 lakh ration cardholders, representing around 57.24 lakh beneficiaries. The scheme ensures that the monthly food availability for PHH remains within a maximum allocation of 35 kg per household. For this purpose, the government procures rice from the Government of India at Rs 34 per kg, which is then provided to beneficiaries at Rs 25 per kg. This ensures that beneficiaries receive a subsidy of Rs 9 per kg.

The scheme incurred an annual financial implication of over Rs 180 crore. It was revived after discontinuation last year when the Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS-D) by the Government of India was halted. The revised scheme alleviates the financial burden on poor families, guaranteeing access to food and nutritional security.

Notably, the scheme initially focuses on providing rice due to its high demand in Jammu Kashmir. However, once the sale of wheat under OMSS-D resumes, the Jammu Kashmir government plans to include wheat in the scheme.

Lieutenant Governor Sinha congratulated all the beneficiaries of the scheme in Jammu Kashmir, assuring that more welfare schemes would be announced in the near future for the welfare of the people.

The successful rollout of the 'Prime Minister's Food Supplementation for Priority Households Scheme' marks a significant step towards ensuring food security and improving the quality of life for marginalized sections of society in Jammu Kashmir.