Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Satish Sharma, assured the Legislative House today that there is no shortage of food grains in the Keran and Jamgund areas of Kupwara district. This statement came in response to a Calling Attention Motion raised by MLA Mir Saifullah, who voiced concerns about the availability of essential food items in these challenging locations.
Saifullah highlighted that Keran and Jamgund often remain cut off for nearly six months during the winter months due to heavy snowfall, resulting in shortages of essential commodities. Access during this time poses significant challenges for residents, increasing their dependency on consistent supply chain mechanisms.
In his detailed reply, Minister Sharma assured the House that the government takes proactive measures to maintain food security in these far-flung regions. He stated that an advance supply of food grains occurs under all relevant schemes for a duration of eight months (from November to June), aiming to preempt any issues that may arise due to winter weather.
Providing specific data, Minister Sharma mentioned that for Jamgund, the required quantity of food grains for the period from November 2025 to June 2026 is 536.14 quintals. He confirmed that 100% of the required quantity has already been delivered to this area, ensuring that residents will not face shortages this winter.
Similarly, regarding Keran, out of the required 2774.43 quintals, 800 quintals have already been transported and received. In addition, he reported that an extra 346.80 quintals have been stored in advance at designated locations to ensure continuous access during the harsh winter months.
The Minister emphasized, “The remaining quantity will be delivered and stocked by or before October 31, 2025.” This assurance underscores the government’s commitment to maintaining an uninterrupted supply of food grains to all remote and border regions of Jammu and Kashmir, emphasizing the importance of diligence in logistics and supply chain strategies.
Minister Sharma’s statements aim to alleviate fears regarding food security in the region, especially as winter approaches. As heavy snowfall can drastically affect road connectivity, the advance stocking of essential items serves as a critical strategy to support the needs of residents in these inaccessible areas.
