The Parliament has been made aware of the total of 67.47 lakh of people receiving benefits under the National Food Security Act (2013) in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir is a positive sign of ensuring the food security. However, this record represents more than just the numbers.
It signifies security for the millions of families that depend on getting their monthly food aid to determine whether their needs can be met or whether they will continue to be dependent on government support for basic sustenance.
The Government of India uses the NFSA to promote dignity among its citizens through food. With 75% of the rural population and 50% of the urban population, the NFSA promises that an individual will have enough food to eat when they go to sleep.
The NFSA also provides those living in Jammu & Kashmir with food security under a combination of challenges related to the remote geography of the region and the extreme weather conditions that occur throughout the year.
As a result, the NFSA beneficiary list is a living document and continues to adapt to meet the needs of the community over time, as opposed to being a stagnant and fixed record.
The promise is more than just numbers on paper; there is a large logistical challenge in getting food into these areas.
In Jammu and Kashmir, approximately one lakh metric tonnes of food grain are provided to the area annually; however, food is also provided to Ladakh despite its remoteness. This is a successful system.
To ensure winter food supplies continue even when access is limited during winter, the government has an advance stocking plan in place and is using Usability Meet Object (UMO) systems of transport.
When access is reduced due to snow, food can still be delivered to consumers.
The government has taken steps to identify those who do not qualify for food assistance through verification audits of over 50,000 people, resulting in some 6,000 people being taken off of the food assistance program.
