Rehan Qayoom Mir
Srinagar, Dec 19: Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA) Satish Sharma on Friday said that no one will sleep hungry in J&K and government will fulfil its promise of free ration and LPG cylinders within the next six months.
Talking to reporters here, Minister Sharma said, “Promises of free ration and gas cylinders will be fulfilled within next six months. Welfare of the poor remains a top priority. All necessary steps are being taken to ensure that all commitments are met.”
The Minister said: “We are peace-loving people. Our message is clear and we will respond to terrorism with tourism. The government will stand by every poor family. No one will sleep hungry and our promises will be fulfilled within the next six months.”
“A comprehensive plan has been put in place to ensure uninterrupted food supplies during the harsh winter months, particularly in snow-bound and high-altitude districts,” the Minister said, adding, “Essential commodities have been dumped across all winter zones. There will be no shortage even during extended highway closures.”
He also shared that the department has initiated the ‘procurement of 20 mobile testing laboratories’ for district-level quality checks. “Each district will have a mobile lab vehicle to monitor ration and food quality. Strict action will follow against adulteration,” he said, referring to recent issues involving raw meat and eggs.
Admitting that resource limitations remain a challenge, the minister said: “We inherited several problems and expectations have multiplied a thousandfold in the past decade. Despite limited funds, we are working with honesty and fairness. Justice will be done.”
On the issue of pending ration cards and split families, Sharma said discrepancies are being addressed. “We have requested the Centre to extend special concessions to J&K given its unique geography. Split families, widows and other deserving groups are genuine cases and we are committed to their inclusion,” he said.
He said the department’s Departmental Promotion Committees (DPCs) are being streamlined to ensure that posts created are absorbed swiftly. “Many employees have worked hard for years. I will personally ensure justice is done to the first three districts by January,” Sharma said, adding that it was a commitment of the Omar Abdullah government to deliver fairness and merit-based progress.
He also appreciated the Chief Minister’s support and Delhi’s assistance, saying: “Our Chief Minister is positive and determined. Without Delhi’s support, it would have been difficult. We expect liberal funding ahead similar to the progressive aid seen during Dr. Manmohan Singh’s tenure.”
The minister said coordination with the Punjab government is ongoing to address inter-state food supply issues, which were delayed earlier due to administrative and logistical hurdles.
He said winter sports and tourism are being revived as part of J&K’s broader development vision. “We are introducing downhill cycling, water sports and skiing in Sonmarg. The aim is to turn youth passion into profession and to fight drugs through sports,” he said.
Highlighting the government’s wider developmental approach, Sharma added that the administration is also working on the solarisation of 200 units including shrines, construction of new playfields and supporting tourism-based employment.
