The Jammu and Kashmir government has decided to set up a State Food Commission to oversee execution of the National Food Security Act (NFSA), which the state will implement "directly" from February 1, and has begun a massive drive to enrol more than 1.19 crore beneficiaries.
"The government will constitute a State Food Commission (SFC). It would be an appellant authority. Under NFSA, we are duty bound to provide food to deserving people.
"The department is liable to be prosecuted in case of failure to provide ration as the people now have the right to food," Consumer Affairs & Public Distribution (CAPD) Minister Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali told PTI.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed had Wednesday last announced the state cabinet's decision to implement NFSA in the state in toto.
"We have started enrolment for new ration cards under NFSA. Enrolment will continue from December 7 to December 18 this month," Ali said.
He said December 18 will be the last date of filing the form and 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 on December 22.
"If any one has any objection, he/she can file it till December 26 and the list would be finalised on December 27. People should wholeheartedly participate in this process," the CAPD Minister said, adding distribution of new ration cards will start from February 1 next year.
Giving details, the minister said 74.13 lakh persons from poor and marginalised sections of the society will be provided ration at highly-subsidised rates -- Rs 2 per kg for atta and Rs 3 per kg for rice.
"Another 45 lakh people will be provided atta at Rs 8 per kg and rice at Rs 10 per kg," he added.
The CAPD Minister also described as "major achievement" the government's decision to disburse ration as per the 2011 Census, which was earlier being provided to people according to 2001 Census, as the move will benefit lakhs of new beneficiaries.
Under the NFSA, the beneficiaries will get assured supply of ration right at their doorsteps in a hassle-free manner from February 1 next year, the CAPD Minister said.
Any person who is denied ration shall be given 'food security allowance' through an inbuilt mechanism which has been incorporated in the Act.
The minister said as many as 40.26 lakh beneficiaries have been listed in 'Priority Class', including 26.49 lakh belonging to BPL category and 13.77 lakh under AAY category.
For the remaining 33.87 lakh under 'Non-Priority Class', the minister asked officials to adopt proper procedures for identification of the families.
He said the list of families identified should be displayed in villages and wards.
He directed for due publicity for identification and registration of families. Besides, gram sabhas should be organised in collaboration with the Rural Development Department for display of lists and seeking objections from the public.
Ali also instructed the Revenue Department to organise special camps for certifying income of identified families.
He said the deputy commissioners will spearhead the endeavour of government for cent per cent coverage and to ensure that no family is left out.
On December 2, Chief Minister Sayeed said, "We have decided to implement it (National Food Security Act) from February 1, 2016 in the state."
When asked whether NFSA will be implemented in Jammu and Kashmir in toto without a legislation as a central act cannot be directly implemented in the state, he gave an affirmative reply. "There is no need for a legislation. It is an Act. The central act would be implemented. It is applicable everywhere. There is no problem in (implementing it here)," Sayeed said.
