The state government will complete the process of E-KYC of all ration cards under Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC) by December this year, and will introduce public distribution system with Aadhaar, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Sushanta Chowdhury said on Thursday.

The minister said, “E-KYC of all ration cards in the Agartala Municipal Corporation area will be completed by December. Moreover, a public distribution system with Aadhaar will be introduced. Later, this system will be extended across the state by 2025."

Minister Chowdhury made this statement during a review meeting of the department where he stated that the National Informatics Centre (NIC) will assist in this programme.

He urged the department’s staff to expedite the process to ensure its completion within the stipulated timeline. The government also plans to introduce an Aadhaar-based PDS system across the state, which is expected to improve ration distribution and reduce fraud.

In addition, the minister discussed the new procedures for ration distribution, which will ensure that ration dealers collect essential commodities between the 5th and 7th of each month. This is in line with the government’s goal of ensuring that beneficiaries receive their rations on time. Chowdhury instructed food inspectors to closely monitor the process to ensure timely delivery.

A district-wise price chart for essential commodities will soon be introduced to keep track of market prices, the minister added. Chowdhury in the meeting said that  there are currently 2,067 Fair Price Shops (FPS) in Tripura, serving 9,80,297 beneficiary families. Ensuring that these families receive their rations promptly is a responsibility that falls on the food department’s staff, he said.

Minister Chowdhury further emphasized that food inspectors will be tasked with regularly visiting ration shops to monitor compliance. Additionally, the department will conduct awareness programs under the "Jago Grahak Jago" initiative to educate the public about their rights and duties under the PDS.

The meeting also covered the government’s strategy for the Minimum Support Price (MSP) procurement of rice. Chowdhury advised district agricultural officers, Gram Panchayat Pradhans and Village Committee chairpersons, and Block Development Officers (BDOs) to coordinate and finalize the locations and times for MSP rice procurement.

On the issue of rising food prices, particularly potatoes and onions, the minister addressed concerns about the increasing cost of these essential commodities in the state. He attributed the price hike to the severe floods that caused significant damage to local agriculture, forcing the state to import these items from neighbouring regions like Meghalaya, West Bengal, and Assam. As a result, prices have increased, impacting consumers.

Chowdhury assured the public that the state government is actively addressing the issue. "We will soon hold discussions with district-level officials to control the rising prices of potatoes and onions," he said. The government has been conducting regular market inspections and raids to curb black-marketing and prevent artificial price hikes. The minister warned that strict action will be taken against traders who attempt to create artificial shortages in the market.

In the meeting along with Minister Chowdhury, the Special Secretary of the Food and Civil Supplies Department Raval Hamendra Kumar, Director of Revenue Department Sumit Lodh, and other senior officials were present. The meeting also discussed the timely procurement and distribution of essential commodities, as well as measures to ensure the proper delivery of fuel supplies across the state.