Kishtwar, J&K (India): The Director of the Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA) Department, Jammu, Rajesh Kumar Shavan, has concluded an extensive five-day tour of the remote Marwah and Warwan areas of Kishtwar district to review public issues related to the department and monitor the supply of essential commodities, including those distributed under the Public Distribution System (PDS).
During the tour, the Director inspected Food Stores at Matigawran and Mir Bazar and interacted with departmental staff as well as local residents. He also visited Food Stores and Fair Price Shops in Warwan and held public meetings to gather feedback on the functioning of the department.
The residents expressed satisfaction and appreciation for the department’s sustained efforts in ensuring the regular and timely supply of quality and hygienic food grains under the PDS in these geographically challenging and inaccessible areas. The public particularly acknowledged the department’s proactive initiative of advance stocking of food grains for six months (June 2026 to November 2026), which has been undertaken to ensure uninterrupted availability of essential commodities and to address any exigencies arising from adverse weather conditions or road disruptions.
During the interactions, the public raised several issues and demands for consideration. Key concerns included enhancement of the existing ration scale, transfer and verification of LPG connections under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY), improvement in LPG supply and related services, and provision of subsidised kerosene oil for residents of these remote areas.
At Marwah, the Director visited Ranie, Yourdu and Nowpachi. Residents demanded strengthening of departmental infrastructure through repair and renovation of Food Stores at Inshan and Nowpachi, construction of a dedicated Food Store in Warwan, improvement of road connectivity to the Nowpachi Food Store, and creation of residential and office infrastructure for departmental officials posted in the area.
On International Yoga Day, the Director joined Tehsil and Sub-Divisional authorities at Marwah and participated in a yoga session at Government Higher Secondary School, Yourdu.
During the tour, Shavan also visited Sukhnie, the last inhabited village of the region, situated at an altitude of over 9,000 feet above mean sea level. According to local residents, he is the first Director of FCS&CA Jammu to visit such a remote area in the region’s history.
The residents warmly welcomed the Director and presented various department-related demands, including the establishment of new sale depots in nearby areas to reduce hardships faced by the public.
Marwah and Warwan are among the most remote areas of Kishtwar district, where transportation of ration supplies remains a significant challenge. Owing to difficult geographical conditions and seasonal road closures, six months’ ration is stocked in advance before the onset of winter.
