Guwahati, Assam: In a major setback for ration card beneficiaries across Assam, the supply of subsidised dal, sugar, and salt under the state’s ₹100 ration scheme has been suspended from June, affecting nearly 70 lakh beneficiaries who had been availing the benefits for the past several months.
According to information from the Food and Civil Supplies Department, the subsidised distribution of dal, sugar, and salt through fair price shops has been halted until further notice. Beneficiaries will now have to purchase these essential commodities at prevailing market rates.
The scheme, which was introduced to provide relief from rising food prices, enabled ration card holders to purchase masoor dal, sugar, and salt at highly subsidised rates. Under the programme, beneficiaries were receiving masoor dal at ₹60 per kilogram, sugar at ₹30 per kilogram, and salt at ₹10 per kilogram.
Sources indicate that the subsidy allocation under the previous state budget was approved only until May. As a result, the continuation of the scheme now depends on fresh budgetary provisions from the Assam Government. Until a new allocation is approved, the subsidised supply of these commodities is expected to remain suspended.
Government expenditure on the scheme reportedly reached approximately ₹296 crore over the past seven months. During this period, lakhs of beneficiaries across the state benefited from the subsidised supply of essential food items through the public distribution network.
While dal, sugar, and salt will no longer be available under the ₹100 package for the time being, beneficiaries will continue to receive rice through the Public Distribution System (PDS) as per existing provisions.
Officials are now awaiting the presentation of the state budget, expected in July, before any decision is taken regarding the revival of the subsidy programme. A fresh budget allocation would be required for the resumption of the scheme.
The suspension has sparked concern among beneficiaries, particularly low-income households that relied on the subsidised commodities to manage rising household expenses. With food prices remaining elevated in many markets, the withdrawal of the subsidy is expected to place an additional financial burden on thousands of families.
The development has also drawn attention to the future of welfare schemes in the state. Many beneficiaries are now looking towards the upcoming budget for clarity on whether the subsidised distribution of dal, sugar, and salt will be reinstated.
The scheme had been in operation since November and provided significant relief to ration card holders across Assam. As the state prepares for its next budget, all eyes are now on the government’s decision regarding the continuation of this popular welfare initiative.
For the moment, beneficiaries can continue collecting rice from fair price shops, but the subsidised supply of dal, sugar, and salt will remain unavailable until further government approval and budgetary support are received.
