SRINAGAR: Around 5,000 migrant families have so far been facilitated to access various welfare and social security schemes following the integration of migrant ration cards with the National Food Security Act (NFSA) database, the Relief and Rehabilitation Organisation said on Thursday.
The exercise is aimed at bringing nearly 50,000 migrant families into the wider welfare delivery system while retaining their existing entitlements, recognised migrant status and relief provisions.
According to the organisation, integration with the NFSA database has helped eligible migrant beneficiaries access social security schemes, including old-age, widow and disability pensions, marriage assistance, scholarships and Ayushman Bharat.
As part of the process, 2,540 old-age pension cases, 200 widow pension cases and 150 disability pension cases have so far been sanctioned after verification and processing. Besides, three SMAS cases and three tricycle cases for persons with disabilities have also been sanctioned.
The Relief and Rehabilitation Organisation has been conducting door-to-door awareness campaigns and special outreach camps in migrant camps and prominent non-camp areas to identify beneficiaries and assist them in completing the required formalities.
The organisation said the integration of migrant ration cards into the NFSA database was intended to facilitate welfare inclusion, digitisation and modernisation of records, besides improving transparency and accountability in delivery of benefits.
The initiative is being implemented in coordination with the Department of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Social Welfare Department and National Informatics Centre.
Field officers have also been directed to monitor e-KYC, integration of migrant ration cards and ration distribution at Fair Price Shops.
The organisation clarified that welfare benefits accessed through the integration process are in addition to the monthly cash assistance and free ration being provided to eligible migrants registered under the Relief Category under the Special Relief Ration Scheme notified through Government Order No. 15-JK(FCS&CA) of 2026 dated March 5.
A fresh round of special awareness and facilitation camps will be held across migrant camps, zones and other locations in Jammu and Kashmir from September 30.
The camps will help eligible migrant families complete formalities, understand their entitlements and apply for welfare and social security schemes. Common Service Centre operators will also be available at the camps to assist migrants with online applications.
The organisation said all facilitation services provided at these camps would be free of cost.
The camps will be held under the overall supervision of Relief and Rehabilitation Commissioner (M), J&K, Dr Arvind Karwani.
