SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir government has announced that free ration distribution for migrants will begin on April 18 at designated ration depots across the Union Territory.
According to the Department of Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction, the distribution will be carried out under a special migrant welfare scheme applicable in both the Kashmir and Jammu divisions, as notified on March 5.
Relief Commissioner Arvind Karwani said that all relief ration card holders, regardless of category—priority household, non-priority household or special category—will continue to receive 11 kg of free ration per person per month along with 1 kg of sugar, as per the existing entitlement.
He added that individuals registered under the non-relief category, including pensioners classified under non-priority households, will receive ration at government-approved rates in accordance with their entitlement under the National Food Security Act (NFSA).
Officials said amendments have already been made to the Jammu and Kashmir Food Security Rules, 2021, and the Targeted Public Distribution System (Control) Order to integrate migrant ration cards with the NFSA database, enabling beneficiaries to access wider welfare benefits.
Karwani further stated that existing procedures related to inclusion, deletion, bifurcation, conversion and correction of ration cards will continue as per relief department norms.
The department has issued public notices and awareness messages to inform beneficiaries about the scheme, which will be formally launched in Jammu at 11 a.m on April 18.
