Ration card holders in West Bengal are set to receive additional relief during the festive season, with the state government announcing a special subsidised food package ahead of Durga Puja.
Under the initiative, eligible ration-card-holding families will be able to purchase sugar, flour and semolina (suji) at a 50% subsidised rate through the state's Public Distribution System (PDS).
The scheme is expected to cover more than two crore families across West Bengal and benefit over eight crore people.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced the festival package on October 3, saying the government would bear half the cost of the selected food items.
What Will Ration Card Holders Get?
The special package includes three commonly used food items—flour, sugar and semolina.
Each eligible family will be entitled to receive:
- 1 kg of flour
- 1 kg of sugar
- 500 grams of semolina or suji
The products will be distributed through the ration system during the Durga Puja period.
The state government will subsidise 50% of the cost, meaning eligible families will have to pay only half of the applicable price under the package.
Sugar Will Cost ₹30 Per Kg
Under the announced rates, eligible ration card holders will be able to purchase one kilogram of sugar for ₹30.
The benefit is significant for households purchasing essential food items during the festive period, when demand for products such as sugar typically increases.
However, the discounted quantity is limited to the amount prescribed under the festival package.
It should therefore not be interpreted as a general 50% reduction in the price of unlimited sugar purchases.
Flour Available at ₹19 Per Kg
The government has fixed the subsidised price of flour at ₹19 per kilogram under the Puja package.
Each eligible family will be able to purchase one kilogram at this rate through the ration distribution system.
The tender process for procuring flour and sugar has already been completed, according to the announcement.
This is expected to allow the government to make the products available during the Puja week.
What Will Be the Price of Suji?
Eligible families will also receive 500 grams of semolina (suji) at a 50% subsidised rate.
At the time of the announcement, the procurement process for semolina was still underway.
Therefore, beneficiaries should check the final price communicated through the ration distribution system when the product becomes available.
The important point is that semolina is also included in the 50% subsidy package.
More Than 2 Crore Families to Get the Benefit
The scale of the programme is considerable.
The state government has said that the festival package will cover more than two crore ration-card-holding families.
State Food Minister Ashok Kirtania separately put the coverage at around 2.12 crore families.
With multiple members in each household, the government estimates that the package could benefit more than eight crore people across West Bengal.
The benefit is intended for eligible ration-card-holding families covered under the state's ration distribution system.
Government Allocates ₹150 Crore
The West Bengal government has allocated ₹150 crore to the Food and Supplies Department for implementing the festival package.
The state will bear the remaining 50% of the cost of the selected products.
This subsidy allows eligible families to purchase the specified quantities of sugar, flour and semolina at reduced rates.
The programme is being introduced as a special festive-season measure rather than a permanent reduction in the market price of these products.
Distribution Planned During Durga Puja Week
The discounted ration package is planned for distribution during the Durga Puja period.
Durga Puja in 2026 falls between October 17 and October 21, and the government intends to make the subsidised products available through the PDS during the festival week.
Ration card holders should therefore check with their designated ration shop for the actual distribution schedule applicable to their area.
Local distribution dates can vary depending on supply and administrative arrangements.
Benefit Is Not Restricted to One Community
The state government has also clarified that the festival ration package is not intended only for people belonging to a particular religious community.
According to the Food Minister's announcement, eligible ration-card-holding families covered under the programme can receive the benefit irrespective of religion.
The eligibility is linked to coverage under the applicable ration system rather than participation in the Durga Puja festival.
How Will Families Receive the Subsidised Items?
The products will be supplied through the existing Public Distribution System.
Eligible households should use their ration entitlement through the authorised ration shop linked to their card, following the applicable authentication and distribution procedure.
Beneficiaries should check the quantity and price recorded during the transaction and collect a receipt where available.
They should also avoid paying an amount higher than the officially prescribed price for the subsidised quantities.
Check Eligibility Before Visiting the Ration Shop
Although the announcement covers more than two crore ration-card-holding families, beneficiaries should confirm whether their ration card category is included in the distribution process and when supplies will reach their local fair-price shop.
Details such as the date of distribution can differ by location.
Families should rely on official state food department information or their authorised ration dealer instead of unverified social-media messages claiming additional quantities or free supplies.
Half-Price Ration Package for the Festive Season
Under West Bengal's special Puja ration package, more than two crore eligible ration-card-holding families are expected to receive selected essential food items at a 50% subsidised rate.
Each eligible family will get 1 kg of flour at ₹19, 1 kg of sugar at ₹30 and 500 grams of semolina at half price.
The state has allocated ₹150 crore for the programme, which is expected to benefit more than eight crore people.
Beneficiaries should remember that this is a special package involving prescribed quantities. It does not mean that all ration items or unlimited quantities of sugar, flour and semolina will be available at half the normal price.
