Opposition CPI (M) on Friday demanded proper enquiry over purchase of 9.70 lakh canvas bags by the Food department of the state government and distribution of same to ration card holders free of cost.

Addressing a press conference at CPI (M) headquarters on Friday afternoon, CPI(M) state secretary and MLA Jitendra Chaudhury accompanied by convener of Left Front Narayan Kar and former MLA Sudhan Das alleged that since formation of BJP government in Tripura, the ministers and leaders are continues their fake promises and confused the state people through their false statements.

Mentioning in the recent statements made by Food and Civil Supply Minister Sushanta Chowdhury over distribution of gift hamper containing one litre of mustard oil, one kg lentil, 2 kg flour, 1 kg sugar, 500 gram atta, Jitendra Chaudhury said that the minister himself given statement before the media that these PDS (public distribution system)  items will be distributed  free of cost , but after few days addressing another press conference, the minister claimed that the  government only distributing the canvas bag free of cost and other PDS items are being sold with subsidized prices from all ration shops of the state.

He alleged that the BJP government continuously deprives people and through their fake promises are depriving people in the ongoing festive season. Chaudhury said that the government is spending Rs. 6.5 crore for distribution of 9.70 lakh canvas bags at a cost of Rs. 68 per bag, but in reality the poor quality bag will not have a price of less than Rs. 20. “It’s a big scam and the present government in the name of gift hamper bags is looting the public money,” said Chaudhury and demanded a high level enquiry to find out the process of purchases of 9.70 lakh canvas bags.

He also strongly criticized the Food and Civil Supply Minister and stated that minister through his false statement are only tried to tarnish the previous Left Front government claiming the LF government never given mustard oil and lentil through PDS. “It’s true that LF  government did not distributed mustard oil and lentil through ration shops, but directly transferred amount of one kg lentil and one litre mustard oil to all consumers of the state by direct bank transfer (DBT) four time in a year.

Chaudhury also alleged that people living in villages are not suffering in absence of any job during festive season as the government has reduced the mandays under MGNREGA and TUEP.