The Tripura government has begun distributing free flour, sugar and semolina through the public distribution system (PDS) to provide relief to ration card holders during the festive season, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Sushanta Chowdhury said on Saturday. He added that the distribution would be completed across the state in phases.
Briefing reporters, Chowdhury said the scheme, approved by the state Cabinet, would benefit around 9.92 lakh ration card-holding families. Under the initiative, each eligible household would receive 2 kg of flour, 1 kg of sugar and 500 grams of semolina free of cost.
The minister clarified that flour and sugar would be supplied to all ration card-holding families, including those in the above poverty line (APL) category, while semolina would be distributed among Antyodaya, priority and below poverty line (BPL) households.
Providing an update on the distribution process, Chowdhury said flour and semolina had reached around 59 per cent of ration shops across Tripura. He expressed confidence that supplies of these two items would reach all parts of the state within the next three to four days.
Sugar distribution, however, is expected to take longer as the commodity is being procured from outside Tripura. The first consignment arrived two days ago, while additional supplies are currently in transit, he said. Distribution of sugar has already begun and is expected to cover the entire state within another five to seven days.
Chowdhury said he, along with the department's principal secretary, director and other officials, formally inaugurated the distribution drive on Friday at fair-price shops on Pragati Road and in Ranirbazar.
The minister's statement came amid criticism from CPI(M) leaders regarding the availability of the festive commodities at ration shops. Rejecting allegations that the items were unavailable, Chowdhury accused certain opposition leaders of spreading misleading information and misrepresenting conversations with him.
He denied having spoken over the telephone with the individuals concerned and urged political leaders to verify facts before making public allegations. He also appealed to media organisations to check the actual availability of supplies at fair-price shops before publishing claims circulated on social media.
According to the minister, the state government has earmarked Rs 9 crore for the scheme. He expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha and the Finance Minister for accepting the department's proposal and facilitating its approval by the Cabinet.
Chowdhury said the initiative was intended to help families meet their household needs during Durga Puja, Lakshmi Puja, Kali Puja and Bhai Phonta. He also asserted that the government would continue the initiative for as long as it remained in office.
Taking a swipe at the previous Left Front government, the minister questioned whether it had ever provided sugar, flour and semolina to the public free of cost during its tenure.
Acknowledging that delays in procurement and transportation could prevent some beneficiaries from receiving all three items immediately, Chowdhury appealed to ration card holders to remain patient. He assured them that households yet to receive their supplies would get the items within the timelines announced by the department and urged people not to be misled by unverified claims circulating on social media.
