The Assam government on Monday expanded its flagship Anna Seva Scheme, adding three essential commodities — dal, sugar, and salt — at subsidised prices for nearly 70 lakh families covered under the National Food Security Act (NFSA).
The expanded scheme was launched across the state’s 33,000 fair-price shops, where special meetings were organised with the participation of beneficiaries, ministers, MLAs, and government officials.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma led the central launch event at Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra in Guwahati, calling the initiative a reaffirmation of the government’s commitment to inclusive development.
“From now on, every household with a ration card will get dal, sugar, and salt at subsidised rates,” said Dr. Sarma. Under the scheme, 1 kg dal is priced at Rs. 69, sugar at Rs. 38, and salt at Rs. 10, amounting to Rs. 117 per month. However, starting January 1, the combined price will be reduced to Rs. 100 per household per month.
Masur Dal: ₹69 per kg
Sugar: ₹38 per kg
Salt: ₹10 per kgIs it possible? Yes in Assam it is!
Beginning today, for the first time across all fair price shops we are offering these essentials BELOW market prices.
Antyodaya is our aim, objective and mission. pic.twitter.com/FrFT8PL5t4
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) November 10, 2025
“Instead of paying Rs. 69 and worrying about Rs. 1 change, we decided that from January 1, people can simply pay Rs. 100 and get dal, sugar, and salt,” the Chief Minister said, drawing applause from the audience.
Contrasting the current welfare model with previous regimes, the Chief Minister remarked that earlier governments distributed dhotis, blankets, and bedsheets occasionally, benefits that offered little lasting impact. “Earlier, people had to attend meetings and fight over who would get what. Today, every rupee reaches the poor directly,” he said.
Ending his speech on a populist note, Sarma promised that his government would continue to strengthen household welfare schemes. “We have given you rice, dal, sugar, salt, Orunodoi, and Nijut Moina. Next, if you make us win the election, we will give 1 litre mustard oil. Then all household worries will end,” he declared.
