Kashmir revamps its public distribution system

Thousands of uncovered families are being brought under the public distribution system in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district. It aims to verify existing ration cards and issue new ones for uncovered families as per 2011 census, officials said.

The process is underway in 244 rural and urban areas in the district, following which families would be categorised into Below Poverty Line (BPL) and Above Poverty Line (APL). Such an inclusion process would come as a relief to more than 25,000 families in the district.

"From June 1, the government is planning to provide ration according to the updated list based on 2011 census. We need the cooperation of all the stakeholders including village heads and Block Development Officers (BDO). The quicker we can conclude the verification process, the better it will be for the people," Assistant Director, Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution, Kathua, T. P. Singh.

"We have gone to several places to guide people and publicised this process to ensure maximum public participation. So far we have seen full cooperation from the people", he added.

Singh further said the district administration plans to open around 170 new ration depots to address the issue of ration shortfall in Kathua.

In March 2015, following allegations of corruption, government officials were under investigation for reportedly misappropriating public ration.

Some villagers said many poor families, which previously suffered, would get much needed support once they are included in the system.

Ravinder Kumar, head of village Khokhyal in Kathua district, was also optimistic that many poor labourers and backward families in his village would benefit from the overhaul of the public distribution system.