J-K Assembly should ratify Food Security Scheme: Congress

Congress today said Jammu and Kashmir Assembly should ratify the National Food Security Scheme in the state as it would benefit 55 per cent of its 1.25 crore population.
The Food Bill passed in the monsoon session of Parliament "can benefit 17.77 lakh urban population and 52.10 lakh rural population in Jammu and Kashmir", Special representative of All India Congress Committee Randeep Singh Surjewala told reporters here.
The Central Acts on matters falling in the State List are not applicable to Jammu and Kashmir unless ratified by the state legislature.
Surjewala said Congress, which is a partner in the state government with National Conference, will work towards getting the scheme implemented in the state.

Surjewala said there was no financial implication for the state in implementing the law as the Centre should bear all the expenses related to transportation and handling of food grains, which would be provided to consumers at uniform prices throughout the country.