Saroori walkout from Assembly over Discrepancies in subsidized ration distribution

Bhashan Nahin Ration Chahiye

Saroori was applauded by the opposition legislators and soon the entire opposition joined the cause with him.

JAMMU, Feb 19: - Cutting across party lines, the state government found itself in the soup facing flak from MLA Inderwal Ghulam Mohammad Saroori during Question Hour in the Legislative Assembly on the issue of discrepancies in the distribution of subsidized ration by CAPD across the state.

Congress MLA from Inderwal G M Saroori, blew the whistle, staged a walkout on this issue besides the entire opposition though separately.

Saroori staged walkout on the issue amid ruckus and sloganeering “Bhashan Nahin Ration Chahiye.”

MLA Inderwal G M Saroori, who targetted his own government for not providing ration in his Inderwal constituency as per census 2011 despite repeated assurances.

Furore started when Saroori, while pointing out incongruity in the answer to his question on ration provision, did not mince words in expressing his anger against the government.

“At one place, they are saying that the government cannot provide ration as per 2011 census as the Centre was not providing the same yet at the same time they are saying that National Food Security Act will be implemented in the state as per 2011 census. If the Act can be implemented in 11 states, why it cannot be implemented in J&K! When will it happen? Kaun Say Aasman Say Khajoor Girengay Aur Hum Baatengay (when it will be available and we’ll distribute),” infuriated Saroori mocked.

Minister of State for CAPD Vikar Rasool, who was at the receiving end of his fury, tried to pacify him stating that National Food Security Act 2013 provided for coverage of 75 percent of the rural and 50 percent of the urban population to receive subsidized food grains under Targeted Public Distribution System, in view of the recent trends in production and procurement of food grains.

He said that accordingly, based on the National Sample Survey Organization (NSSO) data for 2011-12 on consumption expenditure, the coverage determined by the Planning Commission had been calculated as 63.55 percent for rural areas and 47.10 percent for urban areas for the state which worked out to be 74.13 lakh persons.

Rasool said that the implementation got delayed to cover rest of the population as per 2011 census and it would be implemented by July this year, when the stipulated time period of one year would end.

Saroori, dissatisfied by the answer, fumed, “Nine months have passed and their survey has still not been completed. Give us specific time when the survey will be completed. Soi Hui Sarkar Ko Nau Mahinay Ho Gaye (the government has been in deep slumber for past nine months) and the people are suffering. Meri Constituency Mein Ration Ki Ek Boond Bhi Nahin Hai (in my constituency, ration is not available at all).”

His remark hitting his own government was applauded by the opposition legislators mainly those from PDP with thumping of desks and soon the entire opposition joined the cause with him.

Vikar yet again tried to defend the government saying that it was taking time to cover the entire population under the scheme.

However, his defence did not work as by then the legislators of PDP, BJP, JKNPP and JSM too started creating ruckus on the issue and supporting the contention of Saroori.