Satish Sharma Flags Key Food Security, Consumer Welfare Concerns of J&K
JAMMU: Minister for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Information Technology, Transport, Youth Services and Sports, Satish Sharma, today met Union Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Nimuben Jayantibhai Bambhaniya, who is on a visit to Jammu and Kashmir.
During the interaction, Sharma highlighted several critical issues concerning the people of J&K, particularly those in border belts, flood-hit and low-lying areas, and sought urgent intervention from the Union Government.
He stressed the need for:
Permanent Fair Price Shops and Government Food Stores in vulnerable areas to ensure uninterrupted supply of essentials.
Inclusion of millets, pulses, and edible oils in the PDS basket to strengthen nutritional security for marginalised communities.
Modern warehousing with temperature control, pest management, and disaster-resilient grain silos at the district level for long-term stock preservation.
State-of-the-art food testing laboratories across J&K to monitor quality and safety.
To strengthen consumer protection, Sharma urged for:
Allocation of ₹50 crore to establish 20 District Consumer Forums and two State Commissions.
Consumer awareness drives, regional workshops, and training programmes for citizens, manufacturers, distributors, and retailers.
In light of recent natural calamities, he also sought additional foodgrain allocations—5 kg per person for flood-affected families and 10 kg per person for those hit by cloudbursts, over and above the regular quota.
Further, Sharma recommended delegating powers under the Essential Commodities Act, 1980 to the UT Government, enabling it to declare local produce as essential commodities to curb black marketing and regulate prices.
“The people of J&K, especially those in border and disaster-prone areas, deserve stronger food security systems, robust consumer protection, and modern infrastructure. With the Centre’s support, we can address these pressing challenges comprehensively,” Sharma said.
Union MoS Nimuben Jayantibhai Bambhaniya appreciated the detailed submissions and assured full cooperation. She reiterated that under the leadership of the Prime Minister, the Union Government is committed to strengthening food security and consumer welfare across all regions, including J&K.
