J-K govt to issue ration cards to consumers having power

In view of numerous complaints about irregularities in issuing ration cards, Jammu and Kashmir government has decided to issue these documents only to those consumers who have a valid electricity connection.
"Ration cards henceforth will be issued to those consumers who present the latest electricity bill," Director Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CAPD) department Bilal Ahmad Bhat said.
He said this has emerged as the single most credible means of verifying the number of families for issuing the ration cards by the CAPD department.
Although irregularities in issuing ration cards had been coming to fore from time to time, residents in many areas of the city took to roads to protest against it in the aftermath of the devastating floods.

There are allegations that some families have managed to get more than one ration card, in some cases, even in the name of minor children.
"The system of distribution is faulty. Instead of providing food grains according to ration card, it should be given on the basis of number of registered persons on the ration card," Fayaz Ahmad Bhat, a resident of Tengpora area of the city, said.
The government is providing ration at the rate of 35 kg of rice or flour to each family per month without taking the number of persons into account.
"It is inequality at it worst. A family of four get 35 kilograms per month while a family of 10 also get the same quantity," Bhat said.