By TC News Desk
Agartala, May 16, 2023: Chief Minister Prof Dr Manik Saha in presence of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs minister Sushanta Chowdhury inaugurated distribution of spices in a subsidized rate through Public Distribution System (PDS) in a grand programme at Rabindra Satabarshiki Bhavan here on Tuesday.
In this event, Special Secretary of FCS&CA department Ravel Hemendra Kumar and Director Nirmal Adhikari along with owner and proprietor of the Ananda Spices Industries Private Limited popularly known as “Longtharai Gura Masala” Ratan Debnath shared dais with Dr Saha and Chowdhury.
Addressing the inaugural ceremony here on Tuesday morning, CM Dr Saha said that the government is working with friendly attitude towards people as it is here to solve the problems of all.
Citing the troubles faced by the ration dealers during their services towards society, he said that their problems will be solved as the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs’ minister Sushanta Chowdhury is very hardworking and leaving no stone unturned to provide better services to the people as well as looking forward to mitigate the problems faced by the ration dealers.
“The present state government is transparent and for the last five years, the government is making untiring efforts to solve the problems of people accepting those as challenges”, he said.
Highlighting the significance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s clarion call for “Vocal for Local”, Dr Saha said that local industries are participating in various programmes of the state government and getting tremendous opportunities.
“Tripura is being boosted through various ways of connectivity. Investors from all across the country and abroad are willing to invest in this state. Tripura is going to get revamping scope after the opening of ‘Maitri Setu’ at Sabroom”, CM told the gathering.
Speaking at the grand programme, Chowdhury said that the state’s ration dealers had assembled under one roof centrally for the first time in Tripura. This initiative has been taken by the FCS&CA department to strengthen the PDS system.
He said “After Dr Manik Saha assumed the office as Chief Minister, he asked all the ministers and officials to reach the common people. PDS is one of the major component through which we can reach to the public. In the coming days, the government is having plan to provide four litres of mustard oil per annum in a subsidized rates through ration shops.”
Noting down the demands placed by the ration shop dealers, Chowdhury said that these demands will considered after examination and through discussions. He, however said that the several initiatives are to be taken in the coming days which includes- smart card for consumers, health insurance for ration shop dealers, medical benefits for ration shop helpers, etc. He also urged the ration shop dealers to perform their duties with honesty and stock up subsidized products on time so that the consumers don’t face problems.
Citing the statistics of PDS requirement in state, Minister said that there is a need of 25,000 MTs of lentils per annum, 3200 MTs of flour per months. The government is willing to increase the flour from one kilogram to two kilograms per month.
At last, Chowdhury asked the ration dealers to organize blood donation camps after every three months in response to the appeal of Chief Minister Dr Saha.
