Bengal govt announces special subsidised ration package ahead of Ramadan
The Statesman | 25 February 2026
In a major initiative to reach out to the minority community before the assembly polls, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has announced a special subsidised ration package for the holy month of Ramadan through the West Bengal government’s Food and Supplies Department.
Keeping the upcoming sacred month in mind, the state government has decided to provide essential commodities at subsidised rates to Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and Special Priority Household (SPHH) families, as has been done in previous years.
According to an official notification, the special facility will be available from this week till March 19.
Under the scheme, eligible beneficiaries will be able to collect ration items from their respective fair price shops within the stipulated period.
Each family will be entitled to purchase one kilogram of sugar at Rs 32, one kilogram of wheat flour at Rs 30, and one kilogram of chickpeas at Rs 65. All the items will be provided at subsidised prices. Sources in the Food and Supplies Department said that the demand for essential food items increases significantly during the month of Ramadan. The initiative has been taken keeping economically weaker families in mind, so that they can observe the month without additional financial burden.
The department has issued necessary guidelines to ration dealers across the state to ensure smooth distribution and to prevent any beneficiary from being deprived of the facility.
The administration has clarified that only eligible ration card holders will be entitled to avail of the benefit and has urged beneficiaries to collect the items from nearby ration shops within the specified timeframe.
The government has stated that such initiatives will continue in order to ensure social security and food security, and tha