Tripura: 20kgs of rice for BPL tribal families in state

AGARTALA, July 7, 2018: Indigenuous family from below the poverty level (BPL) will be provided 20kgs of rice per family by the Tripura government at free of cost in 10 tribal blocks.

Speaking to reporters at the state secretariat, Nath said the government is committed to improve the services available to the indigenous communities and help them grow on a par with the rest of the state.

"Tribal people face difficulties during monsoon in different interior hamlets. We have identified 10 tribal blocks where we will supply 20kg rice per family to indigenous people from BPL families during these two months free of cost," he said.

The decision, which would benefit 61,058 indigenous families in Chamanu, Damcherra, Dashda, Damburnagar, Karbook, Mungiakami, Raishyabari, Rupaichari, Silachari and Tulashikhar blocks, was adopted at a cabinet meeting on Thursday.

The minister added that the Antodaya Annapurna Yojana ration consumers, who get rice at Rs 2 per kg as per the public distribution system (PDS) guidelines, would continue to get the same profit alongside the additional benefit.

Besides, "priority groups" enrolled in the PDS would get 5kg of rice at Rs 2 per kg every month as usual, along with 20kg free rice in these two months as well.

Nath said, the exercise would need 2,442kg additional rice, adding that he said the decision would be implemented for this year alone.

When asked, in the coming year if it might be repeated, the minister said the state cabinet did not discuss the issue.

Source: The Telegraph

Featured image: Representation