Durga Puja gift: Tripura govt to distribute subsidized food bags through fair price shops

All the 9.70 lakh ration card holder to receive the subsidised food bags that would include mustard oil, lentil, flour, sugar, rava and wheat flour

Sushanta Chowdhury, Food and Civil Supplies Minister

In a bid to bring joy to the citizens of Tripura ahead of the Durga Puja festivities, the state government has announced specially subsidised essential food items including mustard oil to be distributed through fair price shops for the first time.

Tripura’s Food and Civil Supplies Minister, Sushanta Chowdhury, told reporters today that the government will provide essential food items to all the 9.70 lakh ration card consumers. The distribution will take place through 2,056 fair price shops across the state.

Under this initiative, each ration card holder will receive a canvas bag containing one litre of mustard oil, one kg lentil, 2 kg of flour, 1 kg of sugar, 500 grams of rava, and wheat flour. In addition to these provisions, the Food Department is considering offering an additional subsidy of Rs. 15.

Minister Chowdhury emphasized the eco-friendly aspect of the initiative, highlighting that the entire package will be provided in biodegradable jute canvas bags.

Mustard oil will be available at the affordable rate of Rs. 113 per litre for the first time in the state, aligning with the government’s commitment to ensuring the availability of essential food items to the people.

Out of the nine lakh canvas bags procured by the state government, 3.58 lakh have already reached Tripura, with over 5 lakh more en route.

The distribution will commence tomorrow (Tuesday), with Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha inaugurating the launching programme as one litre of mustard oil to each of the ration card consumers.

The mustard oil supply through fair price shops, part of BJP’s election promises ahead of the general assembly elections, will be provided four times a year during festive seasons.

Additionally, Minister Chowdhury announced plans to modernize and transform all ration shops in the state into model ration shops.

Out of the 2,056 shops in eight districts, 600 will undergo this transformation, with the Chief Minister launching these model shops tomorrow.

A financial boost of Rs. 5000 from the food department’s own cash credit will be given to these shops as part of the facelift, incurring a total cost of Rs. 30 lakh for the state government.

Furthermore, the minister revealed that 635 labourers engaged in loading, unloading, and other menial tasks under the Food and Civil Supplies Department will receive a puja festival ex-gratia of Rs. 2000 this year.

A sum of Rs. 12.70 lakhs from the department’s cash credit will be allocated for this purpose, and the funds will be distributed through cheques to ensure transparency and accountability.

Meanwhile, a report from the Food and Civil Supplies Department has indicated that Tripura currently boasts of ample food stock, including a 96-day rice buffer stock, 49-day wheat stock, 57-day sugar stock, 59-day lentil pulse stock, 12-day salt buffer stock, 11-day petrol stock, 7-day diesel buffer stock, and 5-day kerosene oil stock.

Additionally, the department has published a booklet focusing on safeguarding food security and consumer rights, highlighting the journey of progress in this regard.

Also Read: Tripura: TSU, SFI stage protest against alleged privatization of educational institutes, fee hike

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