Today there is a lockdown in the whole country, which has
raised various questions and one of them is regarding food security. The lockdown
followed by COVID-19 has not only affected the public health services but also
lead to many other crises like migrant worker’s situation, transportation the sector, employment sector, food supply, etc. and these crises are further
triggered by the halt in the economy of the country.
Everyone knows that our country has large food stock and that some of this
could be used to protect people from hunger during COVID-19 crises.
The National Food Security Act has been in force in the
country since 2013, on the basis of which about 80 crore people of the country are
to be provided with food supplies or ration at minimum affordable prices. A lot
of people, organizations, and intellectuals all over the country are constantly
fighting against the functioning, rigging, and failures of this ration distribution
system. In Jammu and Kashmir especially in District Kathua, there is ‘Bhashan
Nahi Rashan do Muheem’ working in this field of the ration distribution system. It
was started in 2017. The object behind this Muheem is that a large population
of Kathua is still dependent upon ration which is provided through
government ration depot. But the problem with it is, that in the depot the
ration is not regularly supplied and if it is supplied after a long period, very
little quantity is made available to people. In many places ration is distributed
at higher prices than the folded price. After analysing all these problems,
Bhaashan Nahi Rashan do Muheem started its struggle in 2017 by visiting
many wards of Kathua and nearby villages. Muheem members started their
work by organizing and mobilizing people for dharnas, and by distributing
prachas to make people aware of keeping a regular check on the ration distribution
system. After getting a lot of support from the people, the memorandum
was submitted to the concerned government authorities of Kathua. In the starting
days of Muheem the protests were held in different wards and villages of
Kathua, effigies of government authorities were burnt, people blocked the roads
in different areas. In view of this rising anger of people against the ration
distribution system, the administration accepted some demands and issued an
order directing the depots to be open at least 20 days in a month. Apart
from this, some other demands were also considered. This can be considered as the first victory of the people’s struggle, but the fight did not end here. After
this action, some of Muheem members left for their studies but the movement is
still going on.
Today, once again a big problem lies in front of us
amidst this pandemic. Due to the lockdown, people have no employment, no money to
buy essential goods. The public is dependent on the ration received from government
depots. But still, a large part of the population is deprived of this ration,
especially migrant workers. If the country had a national public ration
distribution system, there would not have been such big crises. Many godowns in
the country still have grain stocks, but it seems as government is
unconcerned for the non-ration cardholders. Bhaashan Nahi Rashan do Muheem is again
working for the struggle against ration distribution system in these crises of
lockdown. In recent times, there has been news of scarcity and rigging of
ration in many areas of Kathua. It is crystal clear how big this
problem of rationing is. Muheem has given a memorandum to the Kathua administration
and Chief Secretary of UT regarding the demands of Muheem. People have also
organized demonstrations against the Food corporation department in many
different areas. The Muheem has decided and it is going into the villages
and wards of Kathua to identify the problems of people. Apart from this,
posters and leaflets will be distributed in different areas of Kathua. Recently
the government has made some announcements but the situation on the ground is still
worse. The ration is not regularly distributed and even if it is, then it is
distributed at higher prices. The quantity of ration is very less, sometimes
only Flour is available in the depot. Apart from this, people are not getting
other essential things like oil, pulses, salt, turmeric, etc. at affordable
prices. With these demands, Muheem has also placed the demand in front of
government authorities to distribute food supplies to the migrant workers.
This struggle is very long, but with the participation of
all, this battle will definitely be won. Where on one side government is making
slogans like ‘sabka sath sabka vikas’ but on the other hand in the ration
distribution system, the government is continuously cutting subsidies. The
supply of kerosene and sugar, which were available in the PDS system, has been
discontinued. Now the government is trying to increase the price of affordable
rations. That is why it is important to raise a united voice to strengthen
the public distribution system. So, everyone can have the right to food.
'Bhashan Nahi Rashan do Muheem' is an independent group from Kathua, J&K.
The copies of its memorandum and pamphlets have been attached below.
COVID-19 pamphlet
Memorandum submitted
COVID-19 pamphlet
Memorandum submitted
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