AGARTALA, July 23 (TIWN): The state government might need three months more time to operationalize the much hyped extended PDS benefits of mustard oil and lentil pulses. A highly placed source in the Department for Food and Civil Supplies said that the government is finding it tough to arrange for suppliers who would agree to provide 2 kg lentil pulses for all 18 lakh 18 thousand PDS consumers including BPL and APL consumers, that too in sealed plastic packets in denominations of 1 kg and 500 gm.

"We have discussed the matter with few trusted suppliers and a company from Bombay. They suggested us to go for bulk purchase and then distribute them through our fair price shops. We have turned down the proposition as this might pave way for corruption", the source said. It added that the mustard oil supplies were largely ensured in packets by now.

The Department is expecting to float the tender in August. Two more months would be needed for the bidders to place their bids and the authorities to get over with the official procedure ahead of beginning the supplies.

The state cabinet earlier resolved to introduce mustard oil and pulses in the list of essential commodities distributed at subsidized rates through the Public Distribution System (PDS) among other decisions in a cabinet meeting last month.