SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
JAMMU, Feb 5
In Jammu and Kashmir, the Department of Food Supply and Consumer Affairs plans to issue ration cards to 1,55,000 workers. The initiative will benefit those workers who are registered on the e-Shram portal. The Food Supply Department has collaborated with the Labor Department to compile a list of these workers, and the ration cards are now being generated through camps.
Currently, the region sees a significant influx of local and out-of-state laborers engaged in various jobs. Many of these workers were previously deprived of government-subsidized rations. With the issuance of ration cards, these workers will now have access to affordable food. The delay in issuing ration cards was attributed to the absence of a recent census, which has been resolved by using data from the 2011 census.
Once the ration cards are issued, the workers will also be eligible for other government schemes. Additionally, the Labor Department is facilitating medical treatment for workers at government dispensaries and hospitals. This initiative aims to ensure that workers no longer need to buy expensive groceries from markets, as they can purchase rice and wheat from designated depots each month according to their requirements.
Currently, there are five lakh workers registered on the e-Shram portal, with 3,450 already issued ration cards. The upcoming plan is expected to benefit an additional 155,000 workers, including 70,000 from the state, 45,000 from Uttar Pradesh, 32,000 from Bihar, and 8,000 from Punjab and other states. These workers are contributing to various development projects, factories, and private construction projects in the region.
The list of 155,000 workers has been provided to the Food Supply Department for the issuance of ration cards. The cards will be generated through camps after completing the necessary formalities. This initiative will enable workers to avail themselves of subsidized rations from government depots.
The Labor Department has received the list of workers, and camps are being organized for paper processing. Workers will be able to obtain subsidized rations from the designated depots.
