Srinagar, May 6 — The Jammu and Kashmir Government has directed the inclusion of children aged six and above, as well as left-out widows and divorcees, under its Public Distribution System (PDS), in a move officials say will ensure “no eligible person is left behind.”
The Department of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs issued a formal order to all concerned authorities, directing them to update family ration cards by including six-year-old children under appropriate categories—AAY (Antyodaya Anna Yojana), PHH (Priority Households), NPHH (Non-Priority Households), or Exclusion.
“A child who has attained six years of age shall be included under the household’s existing ration card category,” the order reads.
“This applies to all eligible families under the National Food Security Act (NFSA).”
The government also addressed gaps in beneficiary coverage. “If any eligible person is still left out of the system, they shall be included as per existing norms,” the directive stated.
Widows and divorcees who have not yet been incorporated in the PDS database will now be issued separate ration cards.
These will be allotted under relevant categories after assessing their financial conditions.
“This decision is intended to ensure thorough and fair coverage,” said a senior official in the department.
“By expanding the inclusion criteria, we are strengthening food security for vulnerable sections of society.”
The department has urged field officers to ensure timely data updates and field verification for smooth implementation.
(JKNS Inputs)
