Assam Rolls Out Subsidized Ration Scheme in Major Pre-Election Push
In a significant move ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections, the Assam government, led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, launched a new scheme on Monday to provide monthly subsidized rations of essential commodities to ration card holders across the state. The announcement was made at a launch event in Guwahati, where the Chief Minister framed the initiative as part of a broader network of government support for families.
What the New Subsidy Scheme Offers
Under this new program, every eligible family can purchase one kilogram each of masoor dal, sugar, and salt every month at highly subsidized rates. The current prices are set at Rs 69 for masoor dal, Rs 38 for sugar, and Rs 10 for salt.
Chief Minister Sarma announced a further price reduction starting in January next year. From that point, the prices will be lowered to Rs 60 for dal, Rs 30 for sugar, and Rs 10 for salt, allowing families to acquire all three items for a combined total of just Rs 100.
A Direct Appeal to Voters for 2026
The scheme, which was announced by Finance Minister Ajanta Neog in this year's budget with an allocation of Rs 370 crore, is one of several new and expanded financial assistance programs introduced by the state government in its final budget before the polls. The initiative is projected to benefit over 2.44 crore people in Assam who are covered under the National Food Security Act.
CM Sarma made a direct pitch for re-election, promising to add one litre of mustard oil to the monthly subsidy basket if his government is voted back into power. "Today, if the government doesn't look after poor people, who will?" he asked the audience. "Make us win next time, we will give mustard oil, too."
Linking Schemes and a Political Warning
During his speech, the Chief Minister meticulously calculated the cumulative financial benefit a single household could receive from various state and central government schemes. He listed the Orunodoi scheme (Rs 1,250), subsidized rice, the new dal-sugar-salt subsidy, gas cylinder subsidies, widow and elderly pensions, and the Nijut Moina scheme for girl students (Rs 1,250).
He illustrated that a family could receive assistance of up to Rs 5,000 per month. Concluding with a pointed political message, Sarma said, "Now imagine if one day Orunodoi suddenly stops," implicitly urging voters to consider the continuity of these benefits when casting their ballots.
In a related announcement, the Chief Minister also promised an additional state subsidy of Rs 250 on gas cylinders, which would be provided on top of the existing central subsidy under the Ujjwala scheme.
