The Assam government on Monday announced a temporary suspension of the distribution of subsidised pulses, sugar, and salt under the Public Distribution System (PDS) for a period of two months. This decision was attributed to the continuation of the vote-on-account budget.
Details of the Suspension
The state's Food, Public Distribution, and Consumer Affairs Department stated that the supply of these three essential commodities has been halted with effect from June. The department clarified that the state is currently operating under a vote-on-account budget, and the full budget for the fiscal year 2026-27 will be presented in July.
According to an official notification: "The new government will present a full budget in July, and after its passage, the scheme will restart from August." This means that the distribution of subsidised pulses, sugar, and salt will resume only after the new budget is approved.
Impact on Rice Distribution
Officials added that the monthly distribution of free rice will continue uninterrupted during this period. Households that rely on the PDS for rice will not face any disruption. Additionally, if some fair price shops have leftover stocks of Masoor dal (red lentils), sugar, and salt from May's distribution, those will be provided to poor families in June.
Background of the Vote-on-Account Budget
The suspension comes against the backdrop of the interim budget presented in February by the then Finance Minister Ajanta Neog. She sought a vote-on-account of ₹62,294.78 crore to enable the government to meet essential expenditures until the full budget is tabled. During her speech, Neog underlined that securing the basic right to food was a priority. The government covers 70.71 lakh families under the PDS and provides free rice to over 2.49 crore citizens under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) and the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY).
The vote-on-account budget allows the government to withdraw money from the Consolidated Fund of India to cover expenses until a full budget is passed. This interim arrangement is necessary to ensure the continuity of essential services and schemes.
Reactions and Expectations
The announcement has drawn mixed reactions from the public. While some understand the procedural necessity, others express concern over the temporary loss of subsidised items. However, the government has assured that the suspension is temporary and that the full budget will be presented soon, after which the distribution of pulses, sugar, and salt will resume.
It is important to note that the suspension only affects subsidised pulses, sugar, and salt. Free rice distribution remains unaffected, ensuring that the majority of beneficiaries continue to receive their primary staple.
