Agartala , Mar 29, 2023, TRIPURA TIMES Desk
Agartala, Mar 29: The state government decided to upgrade 765 out of 2048 ration shops as model ration shops, Food minister Sushanta Chowdhury said on Wednesday.
Speaking to the media, he said, 75 ration shops from eight districts each would be identified under this initiative. Besides, 165 cooperative-run ration shops would be linked with the model ration shops.
The Food minister said, one-time financial assistance of Rs. 10,000 would be given to each of the model ration shops for infrastructure development.
He said, the initiative aims at strengthening the Public Distribution System (PDS) all over the state.
Addressing the press conference at secretariat, he also said, all 9,59,455 existing ration cards would be converted into smart cards as decided by the Food department.
Besides, initiatives would be taken to cover all 2048 ration dealers and their families under insurance scheme, he said, adding that 'rarion mitro' would be launched to ensure home delivery of ration items to needy and ill people.
He said, as promised in BJP's Sankalpa Patra, supply of mustard oil through PDS would soon commence while a plan is also under consideration for distributing millets.
The government already started distribution of fortified rice from Dhalai district since April last year. The other districts would also be covered in a phased manner from April next.
Giving more details, Chowdhury said, 9,59,455 ration cards are there in the state. Among them, 1,08,840 are Antodaya holders and 4,92,292 are under priority group.
He also said, 2882 Antodaya ration cards have been issued to Bru people.
Food secretary Raval Hamendra Kumar, Director Nirmal Adhikary and others.