Bastar tribals to get chana at subsidised rate

Raipur, Feb 19 (PTI) Tribals living below poverty line(BPL) in Chhattisgarh''s Bastar division will get one kg chana(gram) at the rate of Rs 5 per kg every month.

Each tribal family in Bastar will get chana at thesubsidised rate from fair price shops opened under the PublicDistribution System (PDS), Chief Minister Raman Singh saidtoday.

He made the announcement at a meeting of Bastar andSouthern Region Tribal Development Authority here.

The scheme, to be launched from next month, is likelyto benefit around five lakh families.

Singh said the Government will buy chana at the rateof Rs 30 a kg from market and sell at Rs 5 per kg to thetribal families, thus giving a subsidy of Rs 25.

The scheme will be initially launched in Bastar, andif successful, it will be extended to the entire state, theChief Minister said.

Over 34 lakh BPL tribal families are currently gettingsubsidised foodgrains and free salt per month in the state.

The latest scheme is another addition to the welfareprogrammes launched by the BJP Government, Singh said.