CM Dr. Manik Saha launches distribution of mustard oil through PDS ahead of Durga Puja

Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha on Tuesday distributed mustard oil and canvas bags through Public Distribution System (PDS) here in a function at Agartala Rabindra Shatabarshiki Bhavan and said that the government is working diligently to meet the aspirations of people.

The Tripura government has decided to distribute mustard oil to the ration card holders of the state through PDS at subsidized rate following the Durga Puja festival ahead.

Addressing the distribution event, the Chief Minister said that the government has been making efforts to protect consumer rights, control prices and stability of essential commodities in the regular markets.

“Distribution of mustard oil through PDS is a part of our developmental program, which was also promised in the election manifesto of the BJP earlier before the election,” he said, adding that it is the BJP led coalition government in Tripura which started procurement of paddy directly from the farmers through FCI. The initiative was taken to ensure self-sufficiency and doubling the farmers’ income, he said.

He said, “The government has also taken initiative to explore the potentiality of the state to develop and grow the industrial sector. Moreover, the investors from outside the state and abroad are also showing their interest to invest in Tripura.”

Meanwhile, the state food and civil supplies department minister Sushanta Chowdhury said, “This is for the first time that the government is distributing mustard oil through PDS, where at least 9,70,000 consumers will be benefited. The subsidized mustard oil will be provided to ration card holders four times a year.”

“Government is working to further strengthen the PDS of the state,” he said, adding that all ration shops in the state will be given a makeover and turned into model ration shops. In the first phase, 600 out of a total of 2,056 shops in eight districts will be converted into model ration shops.