Revised rates affect APL ration card holders
In Himachal Pradesh’s Public Distribution System, the government has lifted the prices of two essential commodities for families holding Above Poverty Line (APL) cards. The new price for sugar is Rs 52 per kilogram, up from the earlier Rs 48. Likewise, the cost of urad dal has been adjusted to Rs 117 per kilogram, a rise from Rs 112.
This price shift arrives just as the festive season intensifies household spending on sweets, snacks, and traditional meals, making the higher sugar cost especially burdensome for celebratory cooking.
Stock shortages reported at certain depots
Concurrently, several government warehouses have flagged supply gaps. In a few districts, urad dal and mustard oil have temporarily run out, limiting the availability of these items at local ration shops.
These interruptions compound the challenges for consumers, who are already coping with increased demand ahead of the holidays.
Additional flour allocation provides modest relief
To soften the impact of the price hikes, the state has introduced a small relief measure for all ration‑card beneficiaries. Throughout October, each household will receive one extra kilogram of wheat flour, raising the monthly allotment to 13 kg instead of the standard 12 kg.
The extra flour is intended to give families a little breathing room as they manage the higher expenses for sugar and urad dal. Nonetheless, APL card‑holders will now need to spend more to obtain these staples through the public distribution network, and the intermittent supply issues add another layer of difficulty during the festive budgeting period.
