Tripura launches free festive food package for ration card-holding families

Agartala, Oct 24 : The Tripura government has launched a special festival assistance programme under which every ration card-holding family in the state will receive 2 kg of flour, 1 kg of sugar and 500 grams of semolina (suji) free of cost, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Sushanta Chowdhury said on Saturday.

The initiative aims to provide additional support to families during the festive season and ensure that people across economic backgrounds can celebrate Durga Puja and Diwali, he said.

Chowdhury inaugurated the state-wide distribution drive by handing over the food items to beneficiaries at Fair Price Shop No. 1 in Ranirbazar under the Jirania subdivision. He also launched the programme at Fair Price Shop No. 61 near Pragati School in Krishnanagar, in the presence of departmental officials and beneficiaries.

Under the special package announced by the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department, each ration card-holding family will receive the three food items free of charge as a one-time festive benefit.

"Our objective is to ensure that the joy of the festive season reaches every home. We want every family to celebrate Durga Puja and Diwali with happiness and enthusiasm. This initiative is part of the government's commitment to stand beside the people and share in their festive celebrations," the minister said.

He said public welfare remained a priority for the state government and that efforts were being made to ensure the timely availability of essential commodities through the public distribution system.

Chowdhury noted that rising household expenses often put additional financial pressure on families during festivals. The free distribution programme is intended to ease some of this burden and provide relief to ration card holders, he said.

The minister said the initiative was also aimed at promoting social inclusion by ensuring that families from different economic backgrounds could participate in festive celebrations without feeling left out.

Departmental officials attended the launch events and oversaw the commencement of distribution through the fair price shop network.

The distribution drive has begun across Tripura and is expected to benefit a large number of ration card-holding families.

With preparations for Diwali gathering pace, the one-time assistance is expected to help beneficiaries meet some of their household requirements during the festive period, officials said.