In major relief, LG announces 10 kg additional rice to 57 lakh priority households

Srinagar:  In a major relief to the poor, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha announced 10 kilos of additional rice at subsidized rates for priority households under Prime Minister’s Food Supplementation Scheme.

Addressing a press conference, Sinha said that priority households in J&K are already getting a 5 kg ration free per member per family.

“From now onwards, a 10 kg additional ration will be provided to each family covered under priority households. In J&K, 14.32 lakh ration card holders and 57,24000 families will be covered under Prime Minister’s FSS for priority households in the UT. The welfare of the poor was the top priority of the administration.,” he said.

He said the additional 10 kg of rice will be provided at the rate of Rs 25 per kg.  “This will cost Rs 1.80 Cr to the UT government annually. Against the Rs 34 per kg rate of rice, people coming under the PM’s FSS for priority households will have to pay only Rs 25 per kg. There is a subsidy of Rs 9,” he said. 

“People falling in the category of priority households were already getting a 4 kg ration per person free of cost. So if there are four family members, they will get a 16 kg free ration plus 10 kg additional rice at the subsidized rates.” 

On SSB recruitment, he said that in early exams there were complaints of irregularities after which a CBI probe was initiated. “The matter is before the High Court and once the decision comes, exams will be held. For fresh posts, exam dates will be announced within 15 days,” he said.

LG said people will have to pay power bills as per their usage. “In the past four years, power tariff bills mounted to Rs 31000 Crore,” he said.

Sinha said due to the rains, Amarnath Yatra has been suspended. Sinha said once the weather improves the pilgrims will proceed towards the cave shrine.