SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir government has begun providing free rice to households falling under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) category, benefiting more than 1.31 lakh families across the Union Territory.
The initiative follows an assurance made by the government on the floor of the House during the Budget Session 2025, where it was stated that an additional free foodgrain provision would be included in the Annual Financial Statement for 2025–26.
According to official details, the Department of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs issued Government Order No. 25-JK(FCS&CA) of 2025 on April 2, 2025, authorising the monthly distribution of free rice to all AAY households “as per the notified scale” beginning April 2025.
The district-wise data shows that 94,295 families in Kashmir Division and 37,412 families in Jammu Division are currently receiving free rations under the scheme. In Kashmir, Kupwara has the highest number of beneficiaries with 18,049 families, followed by Pulwama with 10,136 and Baramulla with 9,772 families. In Jammu Division, the highest number of families have been covered in Rajouri (6,594) and Poonch (5,799).
Officials said the foodgrains are being provided to all bona fide beneficiaries on a monthly basis. While the scheme was initially discussed as a universal free ration initiative, the government later clarified that the benefit is restricted to AAY households—those identified as the poorest of the poor—under the National Food Security Act framework.
