Festive ration items to be distributed among 9.92 lakh families in next 7 days: Minister

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Tripura Food and Civil Supplies Minister Sushanta Chowdhury on Saturday said the state government had started distributing free flour, sugar and semolina through the public distribution system in order to cater to the needs of beneficiaries during the ongoing festive season, adding that the process would be completed across the state in phases.

Under the Cabinet-approved scheme, 2 kg of flour, 1 kg of sugar and 500 grams of semolina would be provided free of cost, Chowdhury told reporters. He said the initiative would cover 9.92 lakh ration card-holding families, with semolina being distributed to Antyodaya, priority and below poverty line (BPL) households, while flour and sugar would be supplied to all families, including those in the above poverty line (APL) category.

The minister said semolina and flour had reached 59 per cent of ration shops in Tripura, and their distribution across the state was expected to be completed within the next three to four days. Sugar, which has to be procured from outside the state, had arrived in its first consignment two days ago, he said, adding that further consignments were in transit.

“Sugar distribution has also started. It may take another five to seven days for supplies to reach all parts of the state,” Chowdhury said.

He said he, along with the department's principal secretary, director and other officials, had formally launched the distribution process on Friday at ration shops on Pragati Road and in Ranirbazar.

The minister's remarks came amid criticism from opposition CPI(M) leaders over the availability of the festive ration items at fair-price shops. Chowdhury accused some opposition leaders of misleading people by claiming that the items were unavailable and by allegedly misrepresenting conversations with him.

He denied speaking to the individuals concerned over the telephone and said political leaders should verify information before making public allegations. He also urged the media to check the availability of supplies at ration shops before reporting claims made on social media.

Chowdhury said the state government had allocated Rs 9 crore for the initiative and thanked Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha and the Finance Minister for accepting the department's proposal and allowing it to be placed before the Cabinet.

He said the distribution was intended to meet household requirements during Durga Puja, Lakshmi Puja, Kali Puja and Bhai Phonta, and asserted that the government would continue the initiative as long as it remained in office.

Questioning the previous Left Front government's record, the minister asked whether it had provided sugar, flour and semolina free of cost to people during its tenure.

Chowdhury acknowledged that some families might not receive all the items immediately because of the time required for procurement and distribution. He appealed to ration card holders not to be misled by claims circulating on social media, saying those who had not yet received the supplies would get them within the timelines announced by the department.

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