Affordable Ration in Himachal Gets Pricier: Here’s What You Need to Know
The days of cheap ration in Himachal Pradesh are coming to an end. Starting next month, consumers across the state will have to dig a little deeper into their pockets as the prices of essential items like wheat flour and rice are set to rise. The government has announced new rates for these staples at fair price shops under the Public Distribution System, effective from September.
For those in the APL (Above Poverty Line) and BPL (Below Poverty Line) categories, this means paying more for basic food items. However, there’s a small silver lining: prices for ration provided under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) will remain unchanged.
What’s Changing?
Rice and wheat flour, which many households rely on, are seeing a notable price hike. For APL families, the price of rice will jump from ₹10 per kg to ₹13 per kg—a ₹3 increase. Wheat flour isn’t spared either, with prices rising from ₹9.30 per kg to ₹12 per kg, marking a ₹2.70 increase.
BPL families aren’t exempt from the hike either. From September, they’ll be paying ₹10 per kg for rice and ₹9.30 per kg for wheat flour, up from the current rates of ₹6.85 and ₹7 per kg, respectively.
Why the Hike?
This price increase comes after 13 years of stable rates, and the reasons are clear. Transportation costs for delivering these staples to depots and warehouses have soared. Add to that the rising prices of goods in general, and the situation becomes inevitable. Although Himachal receives wheat from the central government, the state processes it into wheat flour before distributing it. The cost of milling has also gone up, leaving the government with little choice but to raise prices.
Despite the hike, it’s important to note that the new rates are still lower than market prices. So, while the increase might sting, ration at fair price shops remains a more affordable option for many families in the state.
