Kashmir has 37 lakh free ration scheme beneficiaries, 29 lakh in Jammu region

The Department of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs on Friday informed that the Kashmir region has around 7.9 lakh more beneficiaries covered under the free ration scheme than the Jammu region since March this year.

Responding to a question by MLA Waheed Para, the department stated that 37,64,605 beneficiaries are covered under the scheme in Kashmir, while 29,76,027 beneficiaries fall under the scheme in Jammu region.

In the Jammu division, Jammu district recorded the highest number of beneficiaries at 6,11,835, while Samba has the lowest at 1,59,638. Other districts include Kathua (3.72 lakh), Udhampur (2.98 lakh), Reasi (2.01 lakh), Doda (2.66 lakh), Ramban (1.85 lakh), Rajouri (4.15 lakh), Poonch (3.03 lakh), and Kishtwar (1,59,908).

In the Kashmir division, Baramulla (5.78 lakh) and Anantnag (5.76 lakh) have the highest number of beneficiaries. Other districts include Kupwara (5.20 lakh), Srinagar (5.09 lakh), Budgam (4.30 lakh), Pulwama (3.17 lakh), Kulgam (2.54 lakh), Bandipora (2.33 lakh), Ganderbal (1.77 lakh), and Shopian (1.65 lakh).

In response to another query from MLA Para regarding the distribution of free gas cylinders in J&K since March, the department clarified that no free gas cylinders have been issued to any beneficiary.

Replying to a separate question by MLA Khurshied Ahmed about the shortage of fair price shops (FPSs) in Gulabgarh constituency, the department stated that 112 FPSs are currently functional and actively distributing ration among the eligible beneficiaries in the area.