Though late but still well in time the Lt Governor Manoj Sinha has brought a huge respite to the BPL (Below Poverty Line) families by extending them the facility of additional ration quota of 10 Kg at the cost of Rs 25/ per 5 Kg. While it is an irrefutable fact that the enhancement of ration quota by 10 kgs to each one of the 57 lac BPL families across Jammu & Kashmir has brought much awaited relief and respite to them (BPL families) across Jammu & Kashmir but yet again the delivery of ration of additional 10 Kgs against payment of Rs 25/- per Kg is unaffordable for them (Below Poverty Line-BPL families) in view of their paying capacities. Whether people in the Government believe it or not but the fact is that reports about most of the BPL families failing to purchase additional ration from the open market at unaffordable rates are coming from the nook and corner of both Kashmir Valley and Jammu division. While the irrefutable fact is that 57 lac BPL families used to get 5Kg per soul free of cost under NFSA (National Food Security Act) and additional 5Kgs at the rate of Rs 15 per kg under J&K Food Entitlement Scheme, administrative wisdom demands that Government reviews it’s decision and slashes down the price of additional quota of 10 Kgs from Rs 25 Per kg to at least Rs 15 per 5 Kgs as per the past practice. It is in place to mention here that even the above poverty line (APL) families used to get ration at the rate of Rs 15 per 5 kgs under Public Distribution System(PDS) and presently also the demand for inclusion of APL families in the additional quota of Rs 10 Kg is gaining momentum day after day both in Kashmir Valley and as well as Jammu division.
“What matters the most is the fact that while the Government has taken a historical decision of providing land to the landless families of Jammu & Kashmir for providing them housing facilities, the cut in prices of additional ration quota could mitigate the sufferings of 57 lac BPL (Below Poverty Line) families most of whom are struggling for housing facilities both in Kashmir Valley and Jammu division”.
While raising further the additional quota for BPL families at reduced price of Rs 15/- per 5 Kg would consequently reduce the stress under which they are reeling for last more than one and a half year, the inclusion of APL families in the ration distribution system would also mitigate the suffering of the low middle class people who are forced to get ration from the open market at unaffordable market rates. Announcing the concessions in rations is not just the fulfillment of commitment of Government but it also shows the concerns of the Government about the welfare and prosperity of the families yet to rise above the below poverty line (APL). What matters the most is the fact that while the Government has taken a historical decision of providing land to the landless families of Jammu & Kashmir for providing them housing facilities, the cut in prices of additional ration quota could mitigate the sufferings of 57 lac BPL (Below Poverty Line) families most of whom are struggling for housing facilities both in Kashmir Valley and Jammu division.
