Protests In Kashmir Over Food Security Act, Parties Demand Rollback

Srinagar: The implementation of National Food Security Act (NFSA) is causing widespread protests in Kashmir and most of the political parties are demanding roll back of the scheme that realised during PDP-BJP Government in the state.

In south Kashmir's Pulwama district, family of Ghulam Ahmad Rather is worried after the Act came into force last month. As per the NFSA each family member will get 5 kilos of rice per month instead of 11 kilos under the earlier scheme.

While they will pay just 3 rupees a kilo, that's less than a third of what they paid before, the big cut in quantity hurts more.

"If we want to buy from open market, the rate per kilo is Rs 30 which we cannot afford. We are a poor family and don't have money to buy" said Mohammad Ilyas Rather.

Rice is the staple diet in Jammu and Kashmir and a majority of people depend on the public distribution system. The average rice consumption is nearly 12 kilos a month per person, more than double of what a person gets as per the new scheme

 "NFSA should be revoked and they should give us rice as per previous scheme" said Ghulam Ahmad  Rather.

For the last three weeks there have been protests across the Valley demanding roll back of the scheme. In border areas people have even tried to cross the Line of Control to seek food grains from Pakistan occupied Kashmir.

"We should be given rice as per earlier scheme. We can go to any extent if they fail to restore it. People are saying they are ready to cross LoC," said Shabir Ahmad, resident of Tangdhar sector.

PDP president Mehbooba Muftis whose party implemented NFSA in the state is now demanding amendments in the scheme. "I have requested the governor for amendments in NFSA for the welfare of people" said Ms Mufti.

"We are trying to address the concerns of people on food security," said a senior officer from the governor's administration.