Jammu & Kashmir Halts Beneficiary Verification of PDS

The Jammu and Kashmir government announced a pause on the recent order mandating beneficiary verification under the public distribution system. This decision was revealed by Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Satesh Sharma, who emphasized eliminating fake ration cards. The move aims to ensure genuine beneficiaries are prioritized.

In a significant policy update, the Jammu and Kashmir government has put a hold on an order that required verifying beneficiaries of the public distribution system. The decision was made public by Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Satesh Sharma, during an assembly session.

Sharma stated that this stoppage comes on the back of recommendations by the Center, urging states and Union territories to routinely ensure only legitimate beneficiaries are supported. The halt seeks to streamline the public distribution system by removing fraudulent entries without disrupting genuine recipients.

The move was detailed in response to queries from various assembly members, notably highlighting the Antyodaya Anna Yojana under the National Food Security Act, which offers significant provisions for the poorest segment. Sharma reiterated the administration's dedication to refining the system for better goal alignment.

(With inputs from agencies.)