Free ration for priority households, Antyodayas in Tripura amidst global outbreak of COVID-19

The Tripura government in its additional measures amidst the global outbreak of COVID-19 has announced free ration for the priority households and Antyodaya Anna Yojna (AAY) beneficiaries across the state apart from the rationing through E-PDS. The state law and education minister Ratan Lal Nath said, “Government has decided to distribute free ration of 15 days till April 15 in advance.”

Addressing a press conference to brief the decisions Mr. Nath said, “A total of 5,86,000 families of priority group and beneficiaries of AAY will be provided with 17.5 Kgs of rice each free of cost.” He said that each family of a total of 4,32,279 children in primary and upper primary under the Mid-day meal scheme in different educational institutions across the state shall also be provided with free ration.

“Each family of children in primary level will be provided with 18.5 Kgs of rice free of cost whereas 25.75 Kgs of rice to the family of children in upper primary,” adding to this Mr. Nath said, “A total of 3,25,753 children in Anganwadi centres across the state will also be brought under the coverage of free rationing.” He said that both rice and daal along with eggs and other essential food items shall be dispatched among each of their families.

Briefing the government’s decision of additional measures Mr. Nath today said, “Rs. 5 crore has been sanctioned to provide additional works under Tripura Urban Employment Programme (TUEP) and MGNREGA. A total of 65000 workers under TUEP will be provided with 7-8 days work and 10 mandays for MGNREGA workers.”

“Tripura government has also written the centre to release the pending amount of Rs.73 crore for mandays under MGNREGA scheme,” he said.

Meantime, Mr. Nath said, “In a letter to the centre the Tripura government has urged upon to allow the use of State Disaster Response Fund for payment of Rs. 1000 to the beneficiaries of Ujjawala Yojna.” Apart from this Tripura government has also proposed the centre to ensure adequate availability of essential commodities, food grains, petrol, diesel, kerosene, LPG, etc. for the next one month.

“Assam government is also requested to allow the movement of trucks containing goods of essential commodities in Tripura as most of the state has undergone lockdown in view of the global outbreak of COVID-19,” he said.