Srinagar, April 02: The Jammu and Kashmir government has approved additional free foodgrains for Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households to help them meet their monthly food needs under the Public Distribution System (PDS).
As per the order, the decision was taken as per the Council of Ministers’ approval on March 27, 2025.
It also said that eligible AAY households will receive extra rice at no cost, based on the number of beneficiaries in the household. The allocation is designed to ensure that the total entitlement under all PDS schemes, including the National Food Security Act (NFSA), does not exceed 10 kg per beneficiary, it added.
It further said that households with up to three beneficiaries will continue receiving 35 kg of foodgrains but will not receive additional free allocation while as Families with four members will get an extra 5 kg.
Those with five members will receive an additional 15 kg, while six-member households will get 25 kg, it said, adding that Larger families will receive even more, with households of ten members getting 65 kg extra, and those with more than ten members receiving additional allocations based on the same pattern.
The government has decided to provide rice under this scheme due to its availability under the Open Market Sale Scheme (Domestic). The initiative will be funded through the Finance Department, which will provide additional budgetary support to be later reimbursed into the respective Revolving Fund (Foodgrains) Accounts of both Directorates.
The order also states that if the Government of India restarts the sale of wheat under OMSS(D), the J&K administration will consider distributing wheat and wheat flour as well, subject to approval from the Competent Authority.
