The State Government is taking steps to further strengthen the Public Distribution System (PDS) by launching the distribution of various types of spices through Fair Price shops. The initiative is aimed at providing access to subsidized spices to households across the state.
According to the Food, PDS and Consumers’ Affairs Minister, Sushanta Chowdhury, packaged spices including Longtharai’s chilly, turmeric, jeera, and dhaniya will be available at all of the 2050 Ration shops. Longtharai was selected through a tender process for this initiative.
Chowdhury chaired a preparatory meeting on Sunday to discuss the initiative, where he announced that the facility will be inaugurated by the Chief Minister, Dr Manik Saha, at Rabindra Satabarshiki Bhawan on May 16. The Chief Minister handed over packaged spices to eight beneficiaries from the eight districts during the inauguration ceremony. The initiative will benefit around 9 lakh ration card holders across the state.
The Minister also stated that the Government plans to include other essentials such as mustard oil, in addition to the four types of spices, for distribution through the PDS.
Various officials were present at the meeting, including Secretary of the Food, PDS and Consumers’ Affairs, Ravel Hemendra Kumar, Director Nirmal Adhikari, Additional Director Animesh Debbarma, Director of the Information & Cultural Affairs Department Bimbisaar Bhattacharjee, and owner of Longtharai, Ratan Debnath.
This initiative is expected to improve the accessibility of essential commodities to households in the state and strengthen the PDS.
