Minister for Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Affairs, Satish Sharma, confirmed today in the Legislative House that there is no shortage of food grains in the Keran and Jamgund areas of Kupwara district. This announcement came during his response to a Calling Attention Motion raised by MLA Mir Saifullah, who expressed serious concerns about the availability of essential food supplies in these remote regions.
MLA Mir Saifullah highlighted the challenges faced by residents of Keran and Jamgund, particularly during the harsh winter months. Due to heavy snowfall, these areas often remain cut off for nearly six months, leading to acute shortages of essential commodities.
In his detailed response, Minister Sharma reassured the assembly that the government proactively manages food grain supplies to these inaccessible, border areas. He stated that the government ensures advance dumping and supply of essential grains under various schemes for an eight-month duration, from November through June. This process begins before the winter season arrives and road access becomes limited.
Elaborating on the logistics, Minister Sharma provided specific figures: for Jamgund, a total of 536.14 quintals of food grains are required for the November 2025 to June 2026 period, and the government has already delivered 100% of this quantity.
With respect to Keran, Sharma pointed out that out of a total requirement of 2774.43 quintals, 800 quintals have been successfully transported and received. Additionally, 346.80 quintals have been strategically dumped at designated locations in advance to meet the needs of the local population.
Minister Sharma emphasized that the remaining quantity of food grains for Keran will be delivered and stocked by or before October 31, 2025. He reiterated the government’s unwavering commitment to ensuring uninterrupted food supply to all remote and border regions of Jammu and Kashmir, thus alleviating the concerns raised by local leaders.
This assurance comes as a relief to residents who depend heavily on timely food supplies during difficult winter months. As such, effective management of food distribution remains critical to prevent any potential supply issues in these far-flung areas.
