The Ration Ghat was open up to 12 noon. Those were the lucky who were called up to 12. Rest of the ration cards in a bundle were handed to the trusted one from the crowd. The next day, some would suggest priority for the backlog and some would suggest one from each alternately. Munshi had more powers at the ghat than the Speaker of our Parliament or the Chairman of our Raj Sabha. His decision was final.
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| Fourth & Fifth boat are bahatch that carried ration for delivery at the ghat |
Unlike the present times of so called affluence, during those days of modest plenty and utter scarcity, people irrespective of their tag of religion used to come to the help of one another. If I failed to get my turn and my next door neighbour got it, he used to lend me to meet my requirement. Muslims used to measure with ‘tuer’ (bowl) and the Pundits with ‘wooden longuen.’ September 1953, to quell the followers of the imprisoned leader of the masses, Sheikh Mohamad Abdullah, Bakhshi Ghulam Mohammad played the card of ration. He declared that in his regime, people may sleep two and get up three without caring for food to the additional mouths. He guaranteed enough to the exiting and the additional mouths. He abolished the ‘mujwazea’ system that was prevalent in the valley since ages. Strangely, the rice that was transported from Punjab through Jammu to Kashmir was priced @4annas=Rs 0.25/seer=925gm in the valley and @Rs.1.50/seer at Jammu. Despite prohibitory orders, during Darbar Move or to join part of the family at Jammu, we used to conceal rice in the holdall, little knowing that it was smuggling of rice. The coolie at the transport yard knowing well the reason for the heavy weight of the holdall would never exploit the situation. At Lower Munda police station, one of the constables on duty with a long iron rod would check the contents of the jute sacks. Once my classmate Krishan Lal Tondon retired S P, the then Sub Inspector posted at Lower Munda favoured me with a favourable nod.
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Sadmuqar who would forewarn the evil that could be avoided by payment of alms to him
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Likewise Sheri Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, leader of the masses played the card of ration in a different way. In his lectures, he said “Adhi roti khaiany ghay sir nahee jukaian ghay.” To the utter disgust of his followers, he did not bow his head only but prostrated flat when he went rushing to open the door of the car of the then PM Indra Gandhi at Srinagar Airport on her arrival and in the river procession he was seen holding umbrella to protect Mrs Indra Gandhi from the friendly sun. People for face saving say that he did so to ensure ‘puri roti’ to his progeny, who being mediocre could not otherwise manage sustenance.
At a later stage, ration card was categorized. For income below Rs.600/pm, one would get at subsidized price and others at landed price. D N Trakru (Dinea Patel) retired SSP Traffic for J&K State, from Lakhenpor to Uri had his ration card that was meant for lower income group. The Supervisor assessed him for higher income group with the argument that he was one among the few who had a fiat car to rideand a huge building to live in. D N Trakru was known for his honesty. He told him that his pension was Rs599, one rupee less than Rs.600. In case he could get his pension raised by one rupee, he would have no objection to pay at landed cost.
Around 1960, ban on movement of rice within the valley was lifted. Hawkers from nearby villages like Sebdhan, Budgam etc. carried rice sacks on their ponies for sale in the city. Now the rice was available in abundance but people did not have the purchasing capacity. Pony load of rice was for about 50 to 60 rupees. Mohammad Shaban from Sebdhan refused the deal on deferred payment or payment on installment basis. He was our regular supplier to augment our rationed ration. He had stock somewhere in the city to load his pony and sell in city. Two to three pony loads he used to sell daily. He never agreed to supply us on deferred payment. He used to deposit his daily sales with my father, Pundit Madho Dass but never allowed deferred payment. My father would pay him in cash, may be from his deposit or not but the loan facility was denied. The only condition was that at the time of his supply, he should be paid in hard cash.
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Defunct ration ghat that was once live with hustle & bustle
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Zamanie rudh ne hum dhum
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