Director and Member Consumer Protection Act (CPA), Government of India, Sanjay Saraf Thursday said that free ration distribution will begin in Jammu and Kashmir from 21 April.
Talking to Greater Kashmir over phone from Delhi, Saraf saidthat Government of India has approved providing free ration to consumersfalling under category of Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and Priority House Holds(PHH).
“Every family will get five kg ration per soul free of costfor three months from April to June 2020,” Saraf said, adding that the freeration was in addition to the ration that consumer get under norms.
He said the ration has been sent to Jammu and Kashmir andwill be distributed among consumers from 21 April 2020.
“I want to make it clear that for this ration not a singlepenny has to be paid by consumers falling under the category of AAY and PHH. Incase, they are asked for money, they must register their complaint withauthorities concerned,” he said.
Saraf also appealed to the J&K authorities to ensure theration is distributed under surveillance to avoid inconvenience or injustice.
Saraf said that Government of India enacted National FoodSecurity Act (NFSA) in July, 2013 which gives legal entitlement to 67 percentof the population to receive highly subsidized foodgrains. “Under the Act, foodgrain is allocated to AAY and PHH on highly subsidized prices,” he said.
Saraf informed that the ration will be delivered at thedoorsteps of the consumers and they won’t need to go to the ration depots.