The Tripura State Secretariat of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has opposed the alleged reduction in the quantity of rice supplied through the public distribution system, terming the decision of the BJP-led state government “inhuman” and demanding its immediate withdrawal.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the CPI(M) claimed that the government had reduced the ration rice entitlement at a time when prices of essential commodities were continuing to rise. According to the party, the existing provision of 5 kg of rice per person has now been capped at four members per family, limiting the maximum monthly entitlement to 20 kg even for households with more than four members.
The CPI(M) said ration rice constitutes only a portion of the food requirements of most families and is relied upon by economically vulnerable sections out of necessity. It argued that the reduction would further increase the financial burden on ordinary households.
The party also highlighted what it described as a sharp increase in the prices of essential commodities over the past three months. It claimed that rice prices had risen by around Rs 1,000–1,500 per quintal, while masur dal and sugar had also witnessed increases of more than Rs 1,000 per quintal. Mustard oil, it alleged, had become costlier by around Rs 25–30 per litre, with prices of spices also continuing to climb.
The CPI(M) accused both the Central and state governments of failing to take adequate steps to contain the rising prices of essential goods.
Calling for greater public mobilisation, the party said collective protests and sustained pressure were necessary to force the government to reconsider the decision. It demanded the immediate restoration of the earlier ration rice entitlement and urged the authorities to take effective measures to control the prices of essential commodities.
