JAMMU: The Relief Organization (M), J&K, has clarified the concerns circulating on social media platforms regarding the integration of Ration Cards of Migrants registered with the Relief Organisation (M) J&K, into the National Food Security Act (NFSA) database.
As per a rebuttal issued here today by the organisation in this regard, it is stated that in terms of S.O. 392 and S.O. 393 of 2024, dated August 13, 2024, necessary amendments have been made in the Jammu and Kashmir Food Security Rules, 2021, and the Targeted Public Distribution (Control) Order, 2023, to integrate the Ration cards of Kashmiri/Jammu migrants on the NFSA database.
Currently, migrant ration cards are neither digitized nor categorized. Consequently, the migrants are not able to avail the benefit of various social security schemes, wherein, one of the essential eligibility conditions laid down is the possession of a Priority Household (PHH) card by the applicant.
The document added that the integration of ration cards into the NFSA database and their categorisation will resolve this issue. The ration cards will be categorized into PHH (Priority Household), NPHH (Non-Priority Household), AAY (Antyodaya Anna Yojana) and exclusion categories while digitizing the credentials of all registered migrants. This exercise will ensure that migrants are seamlessly included in various flagship programmes of the government and facilitate the delivery of services to them.
“The S.O. 392, dated 13-08-2024, explicitly provides that the Relief Assistance in respect of Kashmiri/Jammu Migrants shall not be counted as income, but as a source of sustenance only. This ensures that migrants remain eligible for welfare entitlements under existing frameworks, maintaining their socio-economic security. Importantly, the current scale of ration/relief benefits and norms will remain unchanged,” added the document.
