Price hike hits APL ration cards
In Himachal Pradesh’s Public Distribution System, the rates for two essential items have been lifted for families with Above Poverty Line (APL) cards. Sugar will now be charged at Rs 52 per kilogram, up from Rs 48. The price of urad dal has also crept up, moving from Rs 112 to Rs 117 per kilogram.
The adjustment arrives just as the festive season inflates household spending on sweets, snacks, and traditional dishes. The higher sugar price, in particular, could hit families hard as they prepare extra confectionery for celebrations.
Supply hiccups at certain depots
Alongside the price changes, several government warehouses are reporting stock gaps. In a few districts, urad dal and mustard oil have run out at some depots, briefly halting the flow of these commodities to ration shops.
These supply snags add another layer of worry for consumers, especially as the pre‑holiday rush heightens demand for staple foods.
Extra flour allocation eases pressure
To cushion the impact of rising costs, the state has introduced a modest relief measure for all ration‑card holders. Throughout October, beneficiaries will receive one additional kilogram of wheat flour, raising the monthly allotment to 13 kg instead of the usual 12 kg.
The added kilogram is meant to soften the financial strain on households as they grapple with higher sugar and urad dal prices.
For APL families, however, the new rates mean a larger outlay for these two items through the public distribution network. Coupled with intermittent supply issues at some depots, the festive period presents a steeper budgeting challenge for ration consumers across Himachal Pradesh.
