Srinagar, Oct 31:
The government on Friday said that the assurance of providing 10 kg free ration per household, announced on the floor of the House, is applicable only to Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) families, not all households in the region.
Replying to a question by MLA Balwant Singh Mankotia, the Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Department, said that during the Budget Session 2025, it was proposed in the Annual Financial Statement 2025-26 to provide free food grains to AAY households only, and subsequent orders were issued for free ration distribution from April 2025 onward.
A total of 1,31,707 AAY/SAAY families across J&K are receiving free ration monthly.
In Kashmir division, 94,295 families are benefitting — including Anantnag (12,656), Baramulla (16,772), Bandipora (6,188), Budgam (10,493), Ganderbal (3,715), Kupwara (18,049), Kulgam (8,101), Pulwama (10,136), Shopian (4,618) and Srinagar (3,567). In Jammu division, 37,412 families are covered — including Jammu (4,592), Samba (1,035), Kathua (3,308), Udhampur (2,652), Reasi (3,719), Doda (4,961), Ramban (2,329), Kishtwar (2,423), Rajouri (6,594) and Poonch (5,799). The department reiterated that the free ration benefit applies strictly to AAY households as per policy.