Migratory tribes seek amendments to Food Security Act in JK

An outfit claiming to represent Gujjar and Bakerwal tribes today sought inclusion of a special provision inthe National Food Security Act (NFSA), which will be implemented in Jammu and Kashmir from April 1 next year, so that ration may reach to the migratory tribes.
The Gujjar and Bakerwal are two clans of a single tribe.
"A special provisions is required to be included inthe Act whereby the ration may reach to migratory tribes as well at their place," Secretary of Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation (TRCF), a frontal organisation of community, Javid Rahi said.
He also said that the government may include a provision in the Act to combat malnutrition among sedentary and non- sedentary groups.

Rahi said that around six lakh nomadic tribes mainly Gujjars-Bakerwal, Gadii and Changpa migrate annually with their cattle to upper reaches.
"They are not available at one place like other communities to take ration. We hope that the CAPD Minister maydraw an innovative scheme for nomads before implementing theAct in the state," Rahi said.

He said that with the implementation of the Act, marginalised communities, including tribes, will get relief as they were facing extreme adversities due to their tough lifestyle, lack ofeconomic freedom besides food insecurity, owing to low incomeand deficiency of resources.
"Due to their wandering way of life these tribes are not only facing food insecurity but also face acute shortage of basic facilities, absolute illiteracy and lack of health facilities," Rahi said.

The state government has decided to implement National Food Security Act in the state from April 1, 2016.
The decision in this regard was taken during a state Cabinet meeting headed by Chief Minister Mufti Mohmmad Sayeed.
"We have decided to implement it (National Food Security Act NFSA) from April 1, 2016 in the state. The decision was taken during the cabinet meeting today," Sayeed said, adding that "it was challenging work to decide".