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New PDS for West Bengal

Indrani Dutta

KOLKATTA: West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee on Friday announced a scheme to supply rice, dal (pulses) and edible oil to the people in the State. These food items would be priced substantially lower than the ruling market rates.

Announcing this at the Assembly on Thursday, he said the people were suffering due to the price-rise. “I have discussed the matter with my Finance Minister and the Food Minister,” he said .

Mr. Bhattacharjee said that the subsidized food items would reach people below the poverty level (BPL) as well as those above it (APL) through the Public Distribution System.

There were 5.93 crore classified as APL and 1.91 crore in the BPL category, he said.

As per this scheme which will be implemented from September 1, 2008, rice would be available at Rs. 5.15 a kg. against the ruling market price of Rs. 6.15 while dal would be available at a price lower than the market price by Rs. two.

Edible oil (palmolein ) would be available at Rs. 52 a kg. At present pulses are not distributed through PDS but the State government would procure through its co operatives for distribution.

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