Archive · 3 Oct 2026
Bengal Offers Festival Staples at Half Price to Ration Families
The West Bengal government plans to help families buy some festival foods for less money during Durga Puja.
The offer is for families with ration cards.
Each eligible family can buy flour, sugar and semolina at half price.
A kilogram of flour will cost Rs 19, and a kilogram of sugar will cost Rs 30.
Families will also be able to get 500 grams of semolina.
The government says more than eight crore people could benefit.
It has set aside Rs 150 crore to pay for half the cost.
The food minister said the government considered giving the items for free but chose a discount because of its financial position.
The festival is scheduled for October 17 to 21.
West Bengal will offer flour, sugar and semolina at half price during Durga Puja week.
The package is intended for all 2.12 crore ration card-holding families, benefiting more than eight crore people.
Each eligible family can buy 1 kg of flour for Rs 19, 1 kg of sugar for Rs 30 and 500 grams of semolina.
The state has allocated Rs 150 crore to cover half the cost; flour and sugar tenders are complete, while semolina procurement is underway.
Food Minister Ashok Kirtania said the government had considered giving the items free but chose a discounted offer because of the state’s financial position.
- Who
- The West Bengal government and eligible ration card-holding families; Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced the offer.
- What
- A half-price festival package of flour, sugar and semolina.
- When
- During Durga Puja week, scheduled for October 17 to 21; the announcement was reported on October 3.
- Where
- West Bengal, India.
- Why
- To provide festival staples at a discount; the food minister said a free offer was considered but the state’s financial position led to the half-price plan.
Free festival supplies
Half-price package
Whether to provide the items free
Free festival supplies
The government initially considered providing the festival items free of cost.
Half-price package
The government chose a 50 per cent discount this year, with the food minister citing the state’s financial position; he said free provision might be considered in future if finances permit.
- Eligible households
- All 2.12 crore ration card-holding families in the state, according to Food Minister Ashok Kirtania.
- Potential beneficiaries
- More than eight crore people.
- Flour
- 1 kg for Rs 19.
- Sugar
- 1 kg for Rs 30.
- Semolina
- 500 grams per eligible family; its procurement process was still underway.
- Government allocation
- Rs 150 crore to cover the state’s share of the cost.
- Festival dates
- October 17 to 21.