Bengal to provide flour, sugar, semolina at half price to 2 cr families for Durga Puja: CM Suvendu

Kolkata: The West Bengal government will provide flour, sugar and semolina at a 50 per cent discount to more than two crore ration card-holding families during the Durga Puja week, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced on Saturday.

The scheme, which is expected to benefit more than eight crore people, will cost the state government Rs 150 crore, Adhikari said.

This year, the Durga Puja festival will be celebrated from October 17 to 21.


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"During the (Durga) Puja week, more than eight crore people in the state will get these items at a 50 per cent discount. The remaining 50 per cent of the cost will be borne by the state government. Rs 150 crore has been allocated to the food department," he said.

Under the festival package, each eligible family will receive 1 kg of flour at Rs 19, 1 kg of sugar at Rs 30 and 500 grams of semolina.

"The tender process for flour and sugar has been completed. The process for semolina is underway and will be completed soon," Adhikari said.

The chief minister said the benefit would cover more than two crore families under the state's ration system.

The festival ration package was also announced by state Food Minister Ashok Kirtania on Friday.

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He had said the government had initially considered providing the items free of cost but decided to offer them at half price this year in view of the state's financial position.

Kirtania had also said the government may consider providing the items free of cost during festivals from next year if its financial position permits.

The minister said the festival package would not be restricted to any particular community and would cover all eligible ration card-holding families in the state.

"Our government is a government of the people. We do not believe in dividing people on the basis of religion. This package during Durga Puja is not only for one community. All 2.12 crore ration card-holding families in the state will get this benefit," Kirtania had said.