Sushanta Chowdhury, the Food and Civil Supplies Minister of Tripura has strongly warned individuals who participate in causing an artificial scarcity of basic commodities during the monsoon season.

An important meeting was held yesterday at the Secretariat to ensure adequate stock of essential commodities including rice and pulses throughout the state during monsoon season. The meeting was presided over by Food Minister Sushanta Chowdhury and was attended by representatives of All Tripura Merchants Association along with Secretary and President of wholesale and retail trade association of major markets of Agartala city. In the meeting, the Food Minister laid special emphasis on taking strict measures to prevent black marketing and artificial creation of shortage of daily commodities in the markets during monsoon season.

The Food Minister said in the meeting that the present state government is sincere in public welfare. Common people have to face problems if food supply is disrupted due to any reason. The government is always keeping a watchful eye to ensure that the people do not get into any trouble. The government will not tolerate any harassment of the people in procurement of daily commodities. The Food Minister said that rice, pulses and other essential commodities are mainly controlled through public distribution systems and markets. The state currently has rice for 86 days, wheat for 57 days, Salt for 28 days and sugar for 24 days under public distribution system. Similarly, the markets have stocks of rice for 47 days, pulses for 42 days, edible oil for 112 days, potatoes for 47 days, flour for 63 days, sugar for 35 days and salt for 50 days. As a result, it is seen that there is no critical urge for stocking of daily commodities in the state. In the meeting, the Food Minister said that the government will take strict measures if the prices of daily commodities are increased by creating an artificial crisis in the state during the monsoon season. If necessary, the task force of the Food Department will conduct regular raids in the markets.

The Food Minister said that the wholesale and retail traders should give cash memos during the time of sale of each item. The Food Minister directed the officials of the Food Department to regularly keep an account of the stock of daily essentials including rice and pulses in the main markets of Agartala city. He said that if the stock of any daily essential product is low in the markets, advance measures should be taken to increase its stock. The Food Minister directed the officials of the Food Department along with Sub-Divisional Magistrate to take action immediately if there is black marketing anywhere. Director of Food Department Nirmal Adhikari. Additional Transport Commissioner of Transport Department Subrata Chowdhury and other officials of Food Department were present in the meeting.

During a significant meeting at the Secretariat, the Minister stressed the importance of ensuring an adequate supply of essential goods like rice and pulses across the entire state during this time.

The Food Minister chaired the meeting in the presence of representatives from the All Tripura Merchant Association and other officials.

During the meeting, the Food Minister emphasised the creation of artificial shortage of market supplies of everyday necessities during the monsoon season and stressed the importance of implementing stringent measures to prevent illegal activities in the market.

He said, “The current state government is genuinely committed to the welfare of the public, as disruptions in food supply can cause significant difficulties for ordinary citizens.

He further said, “The regulation of pulses, rice and other essential goods primarily occurs through public distribution systems and markets.

Presently, the state possesses a stock of rice for 86 days, wheat for 57 days, salt for 28 days, and sugar for 24 days within the public distribution system.”

The Food Minister added, “The markets also hold stocks of rice for 47 days, pulses for 42 days, edible oil for 112 days, potatoes for 47 days, flour for 63 days, sugar for 35 days, and salt for 50 days. Consequently, there is currently no urgent shortage of essential commodities in the state.”

He instructed the Food Department officials to maintain a regular record of the inventory of everyday necessities, such as rice and pulses, in the primary markets of Agartala.