Two high-level review meetings at the state Secretariat to assess the availability and prices of essential commodities and to strengthen the state's petroleum supply system amid concerns over rising inflation held on Monday in presence of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Sushanta Chowdhury.

The first meeting, attended by the Principal Secretary, Director and senior officials of the Food Department along with representatives of the Tripura Wholesale Grocery Merchant Association, focused on ensuring adequate supplies of essential commodities and maintaining price stability across the state.

Addressing the meeting, Chowdhury said discussions covered the availability, supply position and market prices of key commodities, including rice, edible oil, pulses, sugar, potatoes and onions.

He stressed the importance of coordinated efforts among all stakeholders to ensure that essential commodities remain easily available and affordable for consumers.

"Today, I presided over a crucial meeting at the Secretariat with representatives of the Tripura Wholesale Grocery Merchant Association, alongside the Principal Secretary, Director and officials of the Food Department. The discussions focused on maintaining adequate supplies, controlling prices and ensuring market stability," the minister said.

Later in the day, Chowdhury chaired another review meeting with senior Food Department officials, representatives of Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) and members of the Tripura Petroleum Dealers Association to evaluate the state's fuel distribution network.

The meeting reviewed measures to ensure the uninterrupted supply of petroleum products and discussed the efficient operation of the newly commissioned Petroleum, Oil and Lubricants (POL) depot. Special emphasis was laid on the scientific management of tank trucks to facilitate smooth transportation of fuel from the Sekherkote depot to various districts.

The minister underlined the need for closer coordination among the Food Department, IOCL and petroleum dealers to strengthen fuel distribution and address any issues that could disrupt regular supplies. The functioning of the POL depot and other operational aspects of the state's petroleum supply system also came up for discussion.

Meanwhile, the government's review meetings come against the backdrop of criticism from the CPI (M), which has alleged irregularities in the public distribution system and expressed concern over the rising prices of essential commodities.

Meanwhile, in a press statement issued on Sunday, opposition CPI (M) alleged that the government had restricted the allocation of ration rice to five kilograms per person for a maximum of four members in a family. According to the party, households with more than four members would receive only 20 kilograms of rice irrespective of family size.

Describing the alleged move as "anti-people", the CPI (M) demanded its immediate withdrawal.

The opposition party also claimed that prices of several essential commodities had witnessed sharp increases over the past three months. It alleged that rice prices had raised by Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,500 per quintal, while Masoor dal (pulses) and sugar had become costlier by more than Rs 1,000 per quintal. Mustard oil prices, it claimed, had increased by Rs 25 to Rs 30 per litre, with the prices of spices also continuing to rise.

Criticizing both the Central and the state governments over inflation, the CPI (M) called for effective intervention to curb price rise and urged people to organize democratic protests to press for measures aimed at providing relief to consumers.