Agartala: August 23: Tripura has been experiencing a natural disaster over the past few days. The Chief Minister and the administration have taken all possible steps to combat the situation and restore normalcy. The Food Department is appealing to everyone not to panic regarding PDS (Public Distribution System) materials, including rationed and market stock.
A meeting has already been held with the state’s business establishments. During the meeting, businessmen were strictly instructed not to increase market prices. It has been observed that some unscrupulous individuals take advantage of such situations to hike prices of essential commodities. Therefore, they were warned. On behalf of the business community, it was assured that they would cooperate with the people by giving utmost importance to the matter. Minister Sushanta Chowdhury shared this information in a press conference.
Speaking at the press conference in the Secretariat on Friday, Minister Chowdhury further stated that there is no shortage of any item through the ration system. Currently, there is a 76-day stock of rice in ration shops and with the Food Department, so there is no reason for concern. There is a 99-day stock of wheat and flour, 31 days of salt, 16 days of masoor dal, and 5 days of sugar.
For the past two months, sugar could not be distributed through the ration system due to tendering issues. However, during Durga Puja, sugar for the past two months along with the current month’s sugar will be provided. Additionally, there is a 27-day stock of rice in the market, 11 days of pulses, 83 days of edible oil, 25 days of sugar, 7 days of potatoes, 5 days of onions, 42 days of flour, and 38 days of salt. Therefore, there is no shortage of any kind, and no rumors should be spread among the people.
Minister Chowdhury emphasized that if any businessman in any market tries to increase prices and charges more, the Food Department should be contacted immediately, and legal action will be taken against that businessman. He stated that the main reason for giving such a strong message to the businessmen is that the situation may become more difficult after the floods, with a tendency for various diseases, including waterborne diseases, to spread.
In this situation, prices should not be increased in any way. The district administration has been instructed to make announcements twice a day to make businessmen aware not to increase prices. Speaking at the press conference, Minister Chowdhury also mentioned that, on the instructions of the Chief Minister, 3,140 packets of packaged food have been dropped from helicopters for people in flood-affected areas. Another 8,000 packets are ready and will be provided to the people, with a plan to distribute a total of 20,000 packets.
Regarding petrol, the minister noted that there has been a huge crowd at petrol pumps over the past two days. The state currently has a nine-day supply of petrol and diesel. He assured that there is no need to create unnecessary panic. The road to Mungiaakam has been damaged, but the Secretary of the Public Works Department has informed that it will be repaired within the next two days. Therefore, no one should spread rumors about the stock, as there is no shortage of petrol and diesel in the state.
