J&K govt announces Mufti Sayeed Food Entitlement Scheme

Jammu and Kashmir government launched on Monday the Mufti Mohammad Sayeed Food Entitlement Scheme (MMSFES) to supplement the National Food Security Act in the state.

This was announced by Minister for Education, Naeem Akhtar, at a press conference after the maiden meeting of the new state cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti here this afternoon.

"The government headed by Mehbooba Mufti is committed to protection and promotion of the economic and social well-being of its citizens as was envisioned by Mufti Sahab," he said.

Akhtar said under the scheme, all those persons who are covered under the state's public distribution system, will get additional 5 kg of ration per person in addition to 5 kg of ration they are entitled to get under NFSA.

He said the additional quota of ration under MMSFSES would be provided to the consumers at the subsidised rate of Rs 13 per kg for atta (flour) and Rs 15 per kg for rice.

Akhtar said the cabinet also approved release of Dearness Allowance at 6% of pay, raising the total Dearness Allowance of the state government employees from 113% to 119%, with effect from 1st July, 2015.

He said the arrears on account of additional instalment from July, 2015, to 31st March, 2016, shall be credited to the individual GPF accounts of the employees and shall form part of the monthly salary from April, 2016 onwards.

The Cabinet also approved the revision in Temporary Move Allowance from existing rate of Rs 1,500 per month to Rs 2,000 per month, with effect from 1 April, 2016.