SFC envisaged for effective NFSA implementation
*Bifurcation on hold due to GoI’s cap
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 20: Creation of new ration cards in Jammu and Kashmir is set to be initiated after April 1, 2026 as this requires 100 percent e-KYC in NFSA/non-NFSA ration cards and cleansing of data base through deletion of fake and bogus ration cards which is on an advanced stage, Minister Satish Sharma informed the Legislative Assembly today.
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He also claimed that the bifurcation of the ration cards has been currently put on hold on account of cap on food grain allocation by the Union Government and that his Government has been working hard to quantify and project additional allocation with the Government of India so that this embargo is lifted.
Additionally, he said, the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA) Department has been working out a solution to meet the additional requirement out of the savings post weeding out of duplicities.
“I am hopeful that in the near future, we will be able to lift the embargo,” he said.
The Minister further said that as part of a new initiative, the Omar Abdullah-led Government has been planning to establish a State Food Commission, which shall act as an ombudsman for effective implementation of the National Food Security Act.
For effective last-mile delivery, he added that new fair price shops and sales centres are also being planned in the remote, border and difficult areas.
Winding up the discussion on the Demands for Grants for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Transport, Science & Technology, Information Technology, Youth Services & Sports and ARI & Trainings, the Minister said the Government was committed to strengthening food security, governance reforms, digital transformation and infrastructure development across Jammu and Kashmir.
Highlighting the importance of food security, he said it is not merely a welfare measure but a fundamental right and a cornerstone of social justice.
He informed the House that Jammu and Kashmir is among the first States/UTs to fully adopt the Government of India’s SMART Public Distribution System, implementing core components such as Ration Card Management System, Supply Chain Management System, Rightful Targeting, Mera Ration Mobile Application and Route Optimization, resulting in savings of approximately Rs 2 crore annually.
The Minister said that 16.4 lakh households comprising 67.39 lakh beneficiaries under NFSA in J&K continue to receive free food-grains every month under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana.
Under Antyodaya Anna Yojana, eligible households receive 35 kg of food-grains per month free of cost, while Priority Household beneficiaries receive 5 kg per person per month free of cost.
He added that food grains are also made available to Non-Priority Households at highly subsidized rates to ensure that no deserving family is deprived of essential food support.
The department, he said, continues to protect vulnerable sections from price fluctuations in the open market.
The Minister informed that J&K has achieved 100 percent Fair Price Shop automation across the Union Territory, benefiting over 102 lakh citizens under multiple schemes.
He reiterated that ration card bifurcation has been put on hold due to the cap on food grain allocation and said the department is actively projecting additional demand with the Government of India to get the embargo lifted.
He further said that 100 percent integration of the Migrants Database with the Ration Card Management System has been achieved in Kashmir Division, while the integration in Jammu Division is being carried out in mission mode to enable beneficiaries to access PDS and other welfare schemes seamlessly.
Upgradation of PoS machines integrated with weighing scales using biometric encryption and iris scanners as per latest UIDAI protocols is in the final stage, he said, adding that this would make J&K the first UT to shift from L0 to L1 under SMART PDS.
A State Project Implementation Team has also been established to provide technical guidance and training to field staff, he said.
The Minister said that from April 2025, additional food-grains under SAAY are being provided free of cost to all eligible AAY beneficiaries, amounting to approximately 2093.90 tonnes of additional ration per month to strengthen food security for the most vulnerable sections.
He informed that rationalization of existing Fair Price Shops is being undertaken to enhance their viability and the process will be completed shortly in coordination with MLAs as per norms.
The department also plans to introduce distribution of pulses, oil, millets and other commodities through FPS via NAFED and FPOs to ensure quality products at fair prices while improving dealer earnings.
On consumer protection, he said grievance redressal powers have been delegated to Assistant and Deputy Controllers to directly file complaints in Consumer Courts.
The e-Jagriti digital platform, launched in January 2025, enables paperless complaint filing, case tracking and online payment facilities to make consumer justice faster and more accessible.
Under SASCI, Rs 4 crore has been allocated to modernize the Legal Metrology Department, including deployment of 20 mobile laboratory-fitted vehicles to strengthen market surveillance and consumer safety.
The Minister said petroleum infrastructure is being augmented across J&K to ensure energy security.
A common user facility at Bajalta with 1.3 million MT storage capacity is nearing completion, while a new LPG bottling plant at Jablipura in Anantnag is being explored, he said.
Under Pradhan Mantri Ujwala Yojana-2.0, leftover eligible women will be provided LPG connections free of cost, over and above the existing 35 lakh connections in the UT.
In the IT sector, he said the department is pursuing a robust digital governance strategy focused on reliable connectivity, strong data infrastructure and secure platforms. The number of online government services has increased significantly, promoting faceless, paperless and cashless service delivery.
The department proposes establishment of IT Parks in Jammu and Srinagar, augmentation of the State Data Centre and integration with government cloud platforms to ensure scalability and reliability of applications, he said.
Integration of BHASHINI is also underway to make digital platforms multilingual and accessible in Indian and local J&K languages, the Minister added.
In the transport sector, he said, online facilities for correction of date of birth and change of address in driving licenses have been introduced, alongside transition to faceless and paperless services.
“Driving licenses are now being delivered at doorsteps immediately after passing tests,” he said.
The Minister further said that the Institute of Driving Training & Research at Kot-Bhalwal, Jammu, developed at a cost of Rs 17 crore, has commenced trials.
Electronic evaluation of brakes, suspension and emissions is being implemented, while vehicle scrapping policy has been notified and applications for scrapping centres in Jammu, Samba and Kathua are under process, he said.
According to him, the installation of Electronic Enforcement Devices at key locations is underway to strengthen traffic management.
In 2025, he said, JKRTC served 61.79 lakh passengers, including 27.79 lakh women under free travel schemes.
“The Government plans to introduce an inter-district transport fleet under the OPEX model, replacing aging diesel buses with zero-emission vehicles,” he said.
According to the Minister, a total of 200 new buses are being added to the fleet to meet public demand across J&K.
Under SASCI, he said, 50 new trucks are being procured to augment the JKRTC fleet.
“A committee has also been constituted to examine demands regarding implementation of 7th Pay Commission and regularization of consolidated staff,” he said.
In Science and Technology, the Minister said about 7500 government buildings have been solarised with 76 MW capacity and work on 2500 more buildings is underway.
“By the end of the financial year, cumulative capacity is expected to reach 320 MW. Under PM-KUSUM, 4100 solar agricultural pumps have been installed and 800 more are in progress,” he said.
The Minister added that seven small hydropower projects of 35.25 MW have been commissioned, while 31 projects of 84 MW are under development.
With this, he said, over 50000 solar streetlights have been installed and 20000 more are being added this year, and a 100 kW floating solar project on Dal Lake has also been commissioned.
Biotechnology Parks at Kathua and Handwara, he said, are being developed at a combined cost of Rs 84.66 crore, with Kathua completed and Handwara 75 percent complete.
Regional Science Centre, Srinagar, developed at a cost of Rs 182 crore, is nearing completion, while preparatory work has begun for Regional Science Centre, Jammu, he said.
In Youth Services & Sports, he said, 60.85 lakh youth have been engaged in sports activities during the current financial year, including 24.45 lakh through J&K Sports Council and 36.40 lakh through the Directorate of Youth Services & Sports. At present, 92 Khelo India Centres are operational with over 3000 children receiving training.
He said a total of 216 playfields have been completed, Olympic standard Swimming Pool at Gindun Rajbagh stands completed, and the first certified Rock Climbing Wall at MA Stadium is under progress.
Two new Youth Hostels at Ganderbal and Khel Gaon Nagrota are under execution, he said.
Operationalization of Cricket Academies at Srinagar, Udhampur, Anantnag and Jammu has also been undertaken, he said, adding that while new academies in Ganderbal, Baramulla, Shopian, Poonch, Doda and Samba are being created.
“Development of hockey turfs, multipurpose stadiums, wrestling akharas and sports infrastructure in tribal and border areas is also underway,” he said.
The Minister also informed that the long pending selection process of outstanding sports persons has been completed and provisional selection list issued, while modalities for regularization of Rehbar-i-Khel candidates are being finalized.
Meanwhile, the Legislative Assembly passed grants through voice vote for key departments, including Rs 7462.91 lakh for IT, Rs 54389.17 lakh for FCS&CA, Rs 3798.68 lakh for ARI & Training, Rs 12646.11 lakh for Transport, Rs 68009.76 lakh for Youth Services & Sports and Rs 18972.06 lakh for Science & Technology.
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