AGARTALA / NEW DELHI, April 3 (TIWN): Tripura’s Law cum Education Minister Ratanlal Nath was heavily criticized in social media after suggesting poor people to eat while boiled rice with salt after media reported, how poor people are coming out of home for livelihood risking FIR chances against them, raising question to Govt how would they eat only rice without oil, vegetable as Govt has ended its duty by only contributing rice at Rs. 1 per kilo. When Delhi Govt has given Rs. 10,000 financial aid to 8 lakhs poor, here in Tripura Govt’s contribution is very minimum and NGO and other organizations are coming out to help the poor. Infact many poor yet have not got their rations which was given by Govt at free of cost. In such a chaos, Law Minister Ratanlal Nath has suggested poor to eat white rice with salt. Netizens have slammed the Minister asking him to “start eating the same” which he suggested. Many commented, for poor “rice with salt” and for Ministers Biriyani/Polao.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKcVnwedoy8&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR0DaNc-KsJYgRxknh1Xb5m02V2GmfX6WP4XWCg0la6jDhyaK4bxeGGGwR0  Ratanlal Nath warned Rickshaw drivers and others for final time not to come out of home in Lockdown. TIWN YouTube Video April 2, 2020

The criticism erupted after amid no financial package could be given to the poor people, due to the seriousness of the pandemic, Tripura Law Minister Ratanlal Nath has asked people, including Rickshaw drivers to eat only rice by mixing with salt but not to come out of home.

Addressing media on Thursday, Ratanlal Nath said, “We have been continuously telling the Rickshaw drivers and everyone that amid our financial low capacity, we announced financial package for them. You are rickshaw driver, who works to give food to family but if you die or if you infect your family members with virus, what is the meaning of that livelihood ? Not only rickshaw drivers but I want to tell everyone, please be alert. From today the administration, police will be more strict and handle the situation with tightness. We have launched market in big fields to maintain social distance. Vegetable sellers are going to various areas and many fish sellers are also going but our main duty. Right now it is most crucial stage and more 12 days needed to be strictly followed. The countries which are suffering highest from COVID-19 are understanding what type of war is this. If nothing, just eat rice with salt but still you will survive”.

He further said, strict action will be taken against those Rickshaw drivers who are creating problems.