J&K to Distribute Three Months’ Foodgrains by August 31 Ahead of Monsoon

Srinagar, Jul 21: To ensure uninterrupted food security during the monsoon season, the Jammu and Kashmir Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA) Department has decided to undertake advance lifting and distribution of foodgrains allocated under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) and Non-Priority Household (NPHH) schemes for August, September and October 2026. The move has been taken as a precautionary measure to address possible transportation and logistical disruptions caused by heavy rains and to ensure beneficiaries continue receiving their entitled ration without interruption. Under the plan, eligible beneficiaries will receive their foodgrain quota for all three months through a single transaction, with the entire distribution exercise scheduled to be completed by August 31, 2026. To facilitate the initiative, the National Informatics Centre (NIC), J&K has been requested to enable a one-time transaction facility on e-PoS devices for seamless distribution. The Minister for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs said the advance distribution would strengthen the department’s preparedness for the monsoon season and help safeguard food security across the Union Territory. The Commissioner Secretary, FCS&CA, said the advance lifting, transportation and distribution of foodgrains will be carried out in coordination with the Food Corporation of India (FCI), Jammu & Kashmir Road Transport Corporation (JKRTC) and district administrations. Directors of the FCS&CA departments in Jammu and Kashmir have been instructed to personally monitor the process to ensure timely completion and that no eligible beneficiary is deprived of their entitlement. The department has also directed all concerned officers, Fair Price Shop dealers and other stakeholders to complete the lifting, transportation and distribution of the allocated foodgrains by August 31 in the interest of public convenience and uninterrupted food security.