Food Security Act: Mistakes galore in CAPD database in J&K

Massive discrepancies have come to the fore in the database compiled by the Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Department (CAPD) in Jammu and Kashmir as the state government is preparing to implement National Food Security Act (NFSA).

The CAPD department's database has pasted picture of a Sikh man against the name of a Muslim man.

In another case, the erroneous CAPD database has managed to get a man married to another man, who happens to be his son.

The most common complaint across the valley is that wrong names have been included in the database while the genuine ones have been excluded, causing anxiety among the people.

"Only one of my three sons' name figures in the list of family members against my name. The CAPD department has added five persons, totally unknown to us, in our family," K M Dar, a lawyer, said.

Director of CAPD Kashmir A R War admitted that there were mistakes and discrepancies in the survey carried out by the department in 2012.

"There are mistakes and we have set off the process of getting these rectified," War told PTI.

The official said fresh verification forms have been issued to the consumers so that they can make corrections to their details.

"We are in the process of creating a database which will reduce the hassles faced by the consumers in visiting the offices. Once completed, most of the consumer interface with the department will be on line," he said.

War also said the department has also asked the consumers to submit their bank account details along with Aadhaar card details so that these can be linked to CAPD database.

"At the moment, Aadhaar card is not compulsory. However, those consumers who have the card should submit their details along with the verification form," he added.

However, the consumers are up in arms against the re verification.

"This certificate is to be issued by concerned Tehsildar and it only seems another corruption avenue for the officials," Rafiq Ahmad, a resident of Srinagar, said.

Meanwhile, the state government is preparing to implement the NFSA in the state from February 1 next year.

According to the schedule of the CAPD department, the enrolment for new ration cards under NFSA will be held from December 7 to December 18 this month.

The scrutiny of forms will be done from December 19 to December 21, and final lists will be displayed at fair price shops across the state. In case of any glitches, it can be filed till December 26 and the list would be finalised on December 27.