CPI(M) Delegation Seeks Urgent Action Against Price Rise, Black Marketing and Poor-Quality Ration Supplies

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, August 21, 2026

A delegation of the CPI(M) Sadar Sub-Divisional Committee on Thursday submitted a deputation to the Director of the Food and Civil Supplies Department in Agartala, demanding urgent measures to control the abnormal rise in prices of essential commodities, curb black marketing, continue subsidies on rationed items and ensure adequate supplies of quality foodgrains through the Public Distribution System (PDS).

The delegation comprised CPI(M) Sadar Sub-Divisional Secretary Amal Chakraborty, State Committee member Shubhashis Ganguly, MLA Sudip Sarkar and Sadar Sub-Divisional Committee members Sandipan Deb, Biswajit Deb and Sanjay Das.

During the deputation, the CPI(M) leaders expressed serious concern over what they described as a continuing rise in the prices of essential commodities in the state. They claimed that the prices of several essential items, including rice, pulses, edible oil and sugar, had increased sharply over the past month, in some cases by as much as 50 per cent. The delegation also highlighted the rising price of onions, which it said had placed additional pressure on middle-class and economically weaker households.

The CPI(M) leaders alleged that the public distribution system was not functioning effectively in several areas and that consumers were facing difficulties in obtaining essential commodities through ration shops. They also raised concerns over the quality of foodgrains and other items distributed through the PDS, alleging that on several occasions consumers had received commodities that were unfit for consumption.

The delegation placed a number of specific demands before the Food and Civil Supplies Department. These included immediate steps to bring down the prices of essential commodities, stronger administrative monitoring of markets and strict action against black marketing and hoarding. The CPI(M) also demanded that essential commodities required for daily consumption should be supplied regularly through ration shops at subsidised prices.

Another major demand was an increase in the quantity of rice and other essential commodities supplied against each ration card. The delegation further urged the department to stop the distribution of substandard or unusable commodities through the PDS and ensure that only foodgrains meeting prescribed quality standards are supplied to consumers.

According to the CPI(M), the Director of the Food and Civil Supplies Department acknowledged the rationale behind the demands raised by the delegation. The Director, however, reportedly pointed out certain limitations arising from the policy framework of the Central Government and assured the delegation that the department would take measures to the extent possible and place the issues before the higher authorities for consideration.

Speaking to reporters after the deputation, CPI(M) Sadar Sub-Divisional Secretary Amal Chakraborty said that the prices of food and other essential commodities had been rising alarmingly in Tripura for some time. He alleged that consumers were also facing difficulties in obtaining rice, sugar and other commodities from ration shops.

Chakraborty questioned the functioning of the government’s public distribution system and alleged that despite claims associated with the “double-engine government”, essential commodities were not reaching consumers adequately. He also alleged that prices in the open market as well as black-market activities were increasing.

He called for intensified enforcement drives against black marketing and demanded greater transparency and accountability in the distribution of ration commodities. He also raised questions over the quality of foodgrains supplied through ration shops and alleged administrative mismanagement within the Food and Civil Supplies Department.

According to Chakraborty, the deputation was organised in the interest of the people and the Director had expressed agreement with several of the concerns raised by the delegation.

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