Agartala, September 30 (TIWN): The state cabinet today decided in a meeting to scrap the plans of supplying subsidized lentil pulses and mustard oil through the Public Distribution System (PDS). The government would instead provide quarterly Direct Bank Transfers (DBT) to consumer's bank accounts, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Bhanulal Saha said here today.

Speaking to reporters at the civil secretariat here today after conclusion of the state cabinet meeting, the minister said that the government floated tenders for induction of 2 kg lentil pulses and 1 litre mustard oil per consumer after the decision to include the two commodities in PDS benefits earlier in June.
Saha today said that proper rates couldn't be achieved in the tender bids since bidders gave rates much higher than the standard open market rate. Local induction was found unfeasible since transportation costs would be alarmingly high in import the traditionnally consumed lentil pulse variety from Uttar Pradesh. 
"We were compelled to shift our decision from providing subsidized commodities in physical form to cash subsidies in bank accounts", the minister said.
He added that the subsidies would reach concerned beneficiary's bank accounts every three monhs at Rs. 15 per litre of mustard oil and Rs. 10 per kg pulses per consumer every month.