Srinagar: The Jammu & Kashmir National Conference on Thursday lashed out at the administration over the “unprecedented ration crisis” in Kashmir, saying the administration was “too busy in photo-ops and ribbon-cutting functions to take note of the misery and suffering that the people are reeling under”.
This was, according to the NC spokesperson, stated by Provincial President Kashmir Nasir Aslam Wani Sogami while meeting a number of public and workers delegations, who had called on him here at the party headquarters Nawa-e-Subha, Srinagar.
Among others State Spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar, Provincial VP Ahsan Pardesi, District President Peer Afaq, Provincial Women’s Wing President Er. Sabiya Qadri, and Provincial President YNC Salman Ali Sagar, were also present on the occasion.
Interacting with the visiting delegation from different parts of the valley, Nasir said, “I am apprised of the issues like ration and power crisis by the general public and traders’ delegations from various areas. They all allege scarcity of essential commodities and ration in their respective areas.”
“The administration has completely failed in dispensing its basic duties. People are feeling the heat of the ongoing rice crisis created by the Government of India’s decision to reduce Kashmir’s allotment quota. Under this scheme, every BPL (Below Poverty Line) and PHH (Priority Household) ration cardholder would get 5 kilograms of rice per person at Rs. 3. Normal APL (Above Poverty Line) ration cardholders were receiving 5-kilogram of rice per person at Rs. 15. People are not even getting it on time. They have no rice to eat and can’t even afford to purchase it from the open market at exorbitant rates,” he said.
He urged the government to immediately restore the previous ration quota so that consumers are rescued from the devastating impact of market forces & inflationary pull.
Nasir urged the government to provide ration to all the consumers both APL and BPL as per the previous quota instead of only five kgs of rice per head per month.
He said it was most ridiculous, as to how just five kgs of rice per soul per month could suffice the monthly requirement of a consumer.
“There are reports of rage and ruckus over the new ruling. Apart from public agitation, the decision has created angry scenes at many ration depots. Ration cards have become useless documents. With ration ghats no longer selling sufficient food, many private rice stores have emerged across the valley. The fall of ration ghats has created a substantial demand for rice and activated the private market in Kashmir. These private players are selling rice at exorbitant rates, which is heavy on the pockets of our BPL, middle, and lower middle classes. Our people are undergoing staple stress, rice is our staple food, and making it scarce for the people of Kashmir is downright cruel. I hope the government wakes up to the emerging situation and takes necessary steps to address the common man’s concern,” he said.
