Govt to open 1600 new ration depots in J&K: Satish Sharma

Rajouri, Dec 9: Jammu and Kashmir government has almost finalised process to open 1600 new ration depos across the Union Territory in order to facilitate the public delivery system.

This was stated by concerned Minister for Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution and Transport, Satish Sharma on Tuesday in Reasi district.

He also informed that a new fleet of one hundred buses was being added by the J&K Road Transport Corporation.

Talking to media persons during his Reasi visit, Minister Satish Sharma said that Omar Abdullah headed Jammu and Kashmir government was leaving no stone upturned to address the issues of people.

“We are going to open 1600 new ration depots across Jammu and Kashmir and necessary process has almost been finalized,” the Minister said.

He stated, “The decision to open these new depots has been taken to facilitate the people especially who still have to travel several kilometres to get their ration or at places where existing ration depots have high number of ration cards.”

He stated that following the reforms, the public response towards the Road Transport Corporation was overwhelming.

“Hardly anyone used to take name of RTC earlier but it is due to policies of UT government that the people are preferring to travel in RTC buses,” he said.

Satish Sharma stated that an additional fleet of one hundred buses would augment the RTC strength.

With regard to queries about SMVDIME admission row, Sharma said that Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha should order a probe if there was any irregularity in the admission process of newly established medical college under Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University.

He however added that merit of students was the only criterion of admission.

“It is clear that merit is the only criterion and if there is any irregularity in the merit-based admission then LG should hold an inquiry,” the Minister said, adding, “However, religion can never be a criterion of admission.”

He alleged, “BJP is trying to communalise the situation as it always used to do in areas where the party fails to form its government.”

“There is also an issue related to new ropeway at Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine and Jammu and Kashmir LG should discuss the matter with all the stakeholders and any decision acceptable to everyone should be taken,” he further said.