‘Sufficient food, no shortage’: As flood situation improves, Tripura minister Sushanta Chowdhury says no need to panic

In the PDS too, there is sufficient stock of rice, wheat, dal and salt, the minister added. “CM has asked the food department to distribute packet food from helicopters in the flood-affected areas. So far, 3,140 packets have been distributed. Another 8,000 packets are ready in the department,” Chowdhury told reporters.

Twenty-four people have died, two people have been badly injured and two others are missing following the heavy rain and floods in Tripura. Though the rain slowed down from Friday, rescue operations are still underway in Gomati and South Tripura districts. Approximately 1.32 lakh people are housed in 568 relief camps in different districts.

Chowdhury said that though some ration shops were flooded, the department is taking steps to ensure that people get their supplies. There is 76 days’ rice stock, 99 days’ wheat stock, salt stock of 31 days and masoor dal stock of 16 days, he added. He further said that there is petrol and diesel stock for nine days.

In a meeting with the food department director, officials, and representatives from different business organisations on Friday, Chowdhury urged that prices of essential commodities should not be hiked. “If any person is found hiking prices of commodities without any reason, you contact us, our department… we will impose heavy penalty and legal action will be taken against them,” Chowdhury said.