Assam Restarts Subsidised Lentil and Sugar Scheme

Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma has officially relaunched the state's subsidised Masur Dal and sugar distribution program for National Food Security Act (NFSA) beneficiaries. The official Assam government welfare initiative was temporarily paused for two months due to the Vote on Account budget. The program allows eligible ration card holders to purchase a monthly combo kit containing one kilogram of Masur Dal for ₹70 and one kilogram of sugar for ₹30, totaling ₹100 per family.

Details of the Distribution Program

The relaunch ceremony took place in Kamarjan village, located in the Nagaon district's Raha constituency. This initiative covers over 70 lakh families, representing approximately 2.48 crore individuals throughout Assam. Distribution of these items is facilitated through local Fair Price Shops. To ensure immediate implementation alongside the monthly Anna Sewa free rice distribution, the government has already dispatched over 70 lakh kilograms of both commodities to these shops.

Impact on Beneficiaries

In the Nagaon district specifically, the program supports 15,83,080 beneficiaries across 3,85,299 households. The government aims to provide consistent support to these families through the subsidised combo kits. This distribution process is designed to align with existing food security programs to ensure that residents receive their supplies without delay.

Future Expansion Plans

The state government has announced future plans to expand the food basket for eligible residents. Officials intend to include subsidised mustard oil and salt in the distribution scheme to further enhance household food security across the state. These additions will be integrated into the existing supply chain managed by the food and civil supplies department.