In this connection, the government has reduced the price of rice distributed through the public distribution system (PDS). It also intends to start distributing pulses and edible oil through the PDS system.

Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee announced this in the Assembly on Thursday.

“Rice distributed for people living below the poverty line is at present sold for Rs 6.15 per kg. from now, it will be sold at Rs 5.15 per kg. For people living above the poverty line, rice sold for Rs 9 will now be sold for Rs 7,” Bhattacharjee said.

The state government has also requested the Centre to allocate more rice to the state for this purpose. “If they do not increase the allocation of rice, the state government will buy rice from the open market,” Finance Minister Asim Dasgupta said.

As for pulses distributed through the PDS, it will be sold at Rs 2 less than the market rate. The state government will also distribute palmolene oil at a rate of Rs 52 per litre.