Free ration, Rs 1000 cash transfer lined up for poor in J&K

Srinagar: Centre is all set to roll out ‘Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana’ in Jammu and Kashmir to extend helping hand to senior citizens, poor widows and specially-abled people in a bid to offset the humanitarian crisis post-COVID-19 lockdown.

Under the scheme, women with Jan Dhan bank accounts will get Rs 500 per month for the next three months. Plus to senior citizens, poor widows and underprivileged specially-abled people will get ex-gratia of Rs 1,000 per month.

Additionally, people from lower strata will get five kilograms of wheat or rice and one kg of preferred pulses for free every month for the next three months, as per the latest guidelines.

 “The funds under the scheme have to be transferred into the accounts of the beneficiaries through DBT mode. For the effective disbursement, more bank staff should be allowed to attend their duties and movement passes need to be provided to them for the purpose, “the guidelines read. 

Amid the lockdown, the central government announced Rs 1.70 lakh Crore relief package under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana for the poor.

A senior official of the Social Welfare Department said no new directions have been issued with regard to the relief package.

“We have not received any instructions regarding this scheme. We have not identified any beneficiaries,” the official said, wishing not to be named.

Director, Department of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Kashmir, Bashir Ahmad said they have not received any new instructions so far. “We are distributing ration to our beneficiaries in the below poverty line category under National Food Security Act,” he said.