J&K expands ration coverage to include children, widows and divorcees

SRINAGAR — In a move aimed at strengthening food security and ensuring greater inclusivity, the Jammu and Kashmir Government has widened the scope of its Public Distribution System (PDS) to bring more vulnerable sections of society under its fold.

A fresh government order issued on May 5 paves the way for children aged six years and above, widows, divorcees, and other previously left-out eligible individuals to be included in the subsidized ration network.

The directive—Government Order No. 34-JK(FCS&CA) of 2025—was issued by the Department of Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA) and is seen as a follow-up to an earlier order issued in August last year.

The expansion covers all key categories under the National Food Security Act, including the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY), Priority Household (PHH), Non-Priority Household (NPHH), and Exclusion categories.

Under the new guidelines, children who have attained the age of six can now be officially added to their family’s ration cards. The order also allows for the inclusion of eligible individuals who, for various reasons, were previously not registered under the PDS. Additionally, widows and divorcees who are not currently part of the system will now be eligible for separate ration cards, provided their financial status aligns with the norms laid out in the NFSA.

Officials said the decision reflects the government’s commitment to making welfare schemes more accessible and responsive to the real needs of the population. By broadening the eligibility criteria, the administration aims to ensure that no deserving individual is left behind when it comes to access to essential food supplies.