3 hrs ago
Government Offers Subsidised Staples to Two Crore Families Before Festivals
The government says it will help families buy some festive-season foods for less money.
Nearly two crore families are expected to be covered.
Each eligible family can get sugar and flour at set prices, plus semolina at half price.
The goods are meant to arrive before Durga Puja.
The government has set aside ₹150 crore for the plan.
It says the new offer covers more people and more foods than the earlier subsidy.
The announcement comes after food prices, including sugar, rose.
The Trinamool Congress called the plan an “eyewash.”
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) welcomed the idea but said the discount should be bigger.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced subsidised sugar, flour and semolina for nearly two crore families.
In October, eligible families will be offered 1kg of sugar for ₹30, 1kg of flour for ₹19 and 500g of semolina at a 50% subsidy.
The government allocated ₹150 crore to the food and supplies department; sugar and flour tenders are complete, while semolina procurement is underway.
The announcement follows sharp rises in essential commodity prices, including a reported increase of more than 30% in sugar prices in recent weeks.
The All India Trinamool Congress called the package an “eyewash,” while the Communist Party of India (Marxist) welcomed it but said the subsidy was too small.
- Who
- The government led by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari is offering the package to eligible families.
- What
- Subsidised sugar, flour and semolina will be distributed through the public distribution system.
- Where
- Through the public distribution system; Suvendu announced the plan at Nabanna.
- When
- The offer is for October, with the goods intended to reach families before Durga Puja.
- Why
- The package was announced ahead of the festive season amid rising prices of essential commodities.
Critics
Government and supporters
Adequacy of the subsidy
Critics
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) said the subsidy was too small given market conditions and the financial strain on ordinary people.
Government and supporters
The government described the plan as an expanded ration subsidy, covering more families and adding flour and semolina to the basket.
Purpose and effectiveness
Critics
The All India Trinamool Congress called the announcement an “eyewash” and said it diverted attention from the economic crisis and rising food prices.
Government and supporters
The government presented the package as festive-season relief for nearly two crore families amid rising prices.
Key facts
- Families covered
- Nearly two crore
- Sugar offer
- 1kg for ₹30 per eligible family
- Flour offer
- 1kg for ₹19 per eligible family
- Semolina offer
- 500g at a 50% subsidy; its subsidised price was yet to be announced
- Funding
- ₹150 crore allocated to the food and supplies department
- Distribution timing
- October, with delivery intended before Durga Puja
- Price context
- Sugar prices had risen by more than 30% in the preceding weeks, according to the article
Quotes
Sujan Chakraborty
CPM central committee member and former MP.
“Although we are self-reliant in food production, it is not clear why food prices are increasing, and petroleum price hikes are held responsible for it. India never depended on foreign countries for food. But this is the first time that the prices of essential commodities have increased because of a reason not within the country.”
telegraphindia.com
“During the tenure of the previous government, a total of four crore people used to get the benefit. Now, more than eight crore people will benefit from the revised scheme, under which more items will be supplied at a much higher subsidy”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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