The Tripura government has decided to open 408 new Fair Price shops. This will be done by rearranging the existing ration shops, where the number of ration cards is comparatively high, based on locations.
Besides, the Government has decided to replace existing ration cards with Smart cards.
Also, a plan is currently in pipeline to to ensure home delivery of ration items to around 39,000 families having one or two members aged above 60 years and members with physical disabilities – SHGs and Co-ops will be roped in for this purpose.
Food minister Manoj Kanti Deb said this during a press conference at the Civil Secretariat on Wednesday.
Deb said, “The lists of the new ration shops have already been sent to the respective Sub Divisional Magistrates (SDMs) for taking necessary steps. The initiative will open employment scopes for around 816 persons as well as ease the PDS service.”
According to Deb, the state government has decided to purchase Masoor Dal from the open market through e-tendering and supply them to around 5.96 lakh families enrolled under the Food Security Act at a subsidized price of Rs. 25 per kg.
He said, procurement of paddy directly from the farmers at MSP of Rs. 18.68 per kg for this season started from June 8 last and it would continue till July 20 next.
“A target has been set to purchase 20,000 MP paddy this season. The government has already purchased 12,278 MT paddy from 7,126 farmers at Rs. 22.93 crore,” Deb told the media.
According to Deb, the task forces formed combining the Food department, Legal Metrology and Sub-Divisional administration are continuously monitoring the price in markets and taking action against the unscrupulous businessmen.
As part of the Corona relief package announced by the Centre, as many as 5.79 lakh families of Tripura received free rice (5 kg per head) for 8 months. Such families have also been provided Masoor Dal or Chana (1 kg each).
Under this scheme, the Centre has given subsidy of Rs. 379 crore for Tripura, he said, adding that the central government had supplied 95,025 MT rice and 4,416 MT Dal and Chana to the state.
