The West Bengal government will offer sugar, flour and semolina at 50 per cent discount through the ration system as part of this year’s Durga Puja festive package, food minister Ashok Kirtania announced on Friday, according to local reports.

The state has earmarked Rs 150 crore for the festive package. Officials said the initiative will make essential items cheaper for ration beneficiaries during the festival season.

The announcement marks a big jump from last year’s arrangement, which gave only a 10 per cent discount on selected items to two ration-card categories. This year the coverage has been expanded to more categories and the discount raised to half the price.

The state’s procurement agency has issued tenders for supplying suji under the 2026 Puja Festival Package, along with arrangements for sugar and flour, the reports said.

The minister said the government had initially considered distributing the items free of cost. After reviewing the state’s finances, it decided on a 50 per cent discount this year. If the financial position allows, the festive items could be made free in the future, he said.