State Government raises concern over Open Tendering of Food Grains with Union Government

Jammu and Kashmir government on Wednesday raised concerns over the implementation of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed Food Entitlement Scheme (MMSFES) with the union government and said that it is the delay in open tendering by Food Corporation of India. 

Even though National Food Security Act is implemented in Kashmir, Minister for Department of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs and Information Department, Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali briefed the Union government that it is not adequate.

“Keeping in view the topography and tough terrain besides less agricultural production, people raised the issue of enhancement of quantity of ration per soul. The demand was genuine and state government decided to raise the quantity of food grains to beneficiaries and issued Government order No. 74-CAPD of 2016 dated 20-04-2016 giving sanction to the implementation of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed Food Entitlement Scheme (MMSFES) in J&K State with effect from 1st July 2016,” a statement quoted the minister.

Further, the minister apprised the Union government that the scheme provides for giving additional 5 Kg of food grains per soul over and above the National Food Security Act scale to Below Poverty Line, Priority Households, and Non Priority Households bonafide rationees having family size from 1 to 6 souls subject to maximum of 35 Kgs per family.

However, the Minister said that food grains under MMSFES are procured under OMSS from the FCI and the expenditure on this account is borne by the State Government.

“During the current final year the open sale of rice and wheat through open tendering has not been started yet and as such the department is facing a lot of inconvenience on this account in Jammu & Kashmir,” the minister was quoted.

The State government requested the union ministries of agriculture to intervene in the matter and issue instructions to FCI authorities to start sale of food grains under OMSS in Jammu & Kashmir so that people of the state do not suffer due to this.

Presently, 119000 quintals in Kashmir and 134479 quintals in Jammu province are required to fulfill the demand. A total of 2245922 families are being benefitted under this scheme for whom additional rations are needed. 

 

  

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