Srinagar, March 5, 2025 – In a significant step towards ensuring food security for vulnerable households, approximately 18.99 lakh families in Kashmir are set to benefit from the National Food Security Act (NFSA). Under this initiative, eligible households will receive up to 35 kg of food grains free of cost every month, providing a lifeline to the region’s poorest and most marginalised communities.
The NFSA, enacted in 2013, aims to provide subsidised food grains to nearly two-thirds of India’s population. In Jammu and Kashmir, the scheme has been implemented to cover a substantial portion of the population, with recent updates enhancing its reach. According to posts on X and related reports, over 66.92 lakh people in the union territory are already receiving free food grains under the NFSA, aligning with the central government’s Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY), which was extended for five years starting January 1, 2024. This extension ensures free food grain distribution, reinforcing food security nationwide.
Under the NFSA framework, two categories of beneficiaries exist in Kashmir: Priority Households (PHH), entitled to 5 kg of food grains per person per month, and Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households, the poorest of the poor, who receive 35 kg per family per month. The figure of 18.99 lakh families suggests a focus on expanding coverage, potentially prioritising AAY households or reflecting a localised estimate of eligible families in the Kashmir Valley alone.
Officials from the Jammu and Kashmir administration have emphasised that this initiative targets vulnerable households, including those affected by economic hardships and regional challenges. The distribution will occur through an extensive network of fair price shops, with nearly 99.8% of such outlets across India now automated using electronic point-of-sale systems for transparent delivery. In Jammu and Kashmir, efforts to digitize ration cards and link them with Aadhaar have further streamlined the process, ensuring grains reach intended recipients.
The move has been hailed as a critical measure to address food insecurity in a region where unemployment and economic instability remain concerns. With the NFSA’s implementation tied to the 2011 census—covering up to 75% of the rural population and 50% of the urban population—this expansion reflects the government’s commitment to adapting the program to current needs. Across India, approximately 80.67 crore people benefit from free food grains under the NFSA and PMGKAY, with Jammu and Kashmir playing a vital role in this nationwide effort.
Local residents have expressed relief at the assurance of free food grains. “This will help families like mine survive tough times,” said a Srinagar resident, speaking on condition of anonymity. Community leaders have also called for timely distribution and monitoring to prevent leakages, a challenge that has historically plagued the Public Distribution System (PDS), though recent reforms have reduced leakages to 22% nationally in 2022-23.
The initiative underscores the broader goal of food security as a fundamental right, with the central and union territory governments working in tandem to uplift vulnerable populations in Kashmir. As the program rolls out, it promises to bring stability and sustenance to nearly 19 lakh families, ensuring that no household goes hungry.