The Food and Civil Supply department has started distribution of lentils in 2056 ration shops and all in Anganwadi centres (ICDS projects), said Minister Sushanta Chowdhury.

Addressing a press conference here at Civil Secretariat on Thursday afternoon, Food Minister Sushanta Chowdhury accompanied by Transport secretary UK Chakma and Director of Food department Nirmal Adhikari said that on Wednesday state has received a total of 1300 metric tons and within next two days, all the ration shops will get lentils as per the requirement.

He said that the state government has decided to reduce prices of lentils in ration shops and as per the decision , now  ration consumers under APL category will get per kilogram of lentil at Rs. 82 instead of Rs. 84 and consumers under categories of BPL and Antyodaya will get a kilogram of lentil at Rs. 57 instead of Rs. 59.

Admitting the non-supply of lentils in ration shops and Angawadi centres across the state, the minister said that now the state has a stock of 40 days along with sufficient stock of other food items in the ongoing rainy season.

He said that during past-three months, the department has been continuing its drive against hoarding and black-marketing of essential items and till date, the authorities have conducted raids in 184 markets of the state and collected fines of Rs.2.26 lakh. Moreover, show cause notices have been served to 56 traders and closed down 10 shops.

The Food department has also conducted raids in 1,789 ration shops, served notices to 277 ration shops and suspended licenses for 5 shops with collection of fine money of Rs. 1.4 lakh, said Minister and added that department has taken stringent measures to hoarding of all essential items as there are no situation for panic in terms of stock including fuel products.

He also said that the state government has requested the Union Railway Ministry to increase the Demu train services in the routes of Dharmanagar to Sabroom via Agartala and the Union ministry has sanctioned one more Demu train from Agartala to Sabroom.

The Transport Minister Sushanta Chowdhury added that the Union Finance Ministry has declared the Agartala airport as Customs check post and a gazette notification has also been issued, which is a very positive step for the introduction of international flight from Agartala airport to Chittagong.  He said that soon the international flight operation will start from Agartala airport after the MBB Airport (Agartala) will be declared as Immigration check post.