The West Bengal government is distributing a special ration package this festive season to bring "cheer to the lives of people" in the state, a senior official said. The subsidized package, containing edible oil, flour and sugar, is being doled out to the beneficiaries of Antyodaya and Special Priority (SPPH) programmes, under National Food Security Act (NFSA), the state Food and Supplies Department official told PTI.

"The total number of beneficiaries for the initiative is expected to touch three crore. The package will be distributed in two phases - from October 9 to 23 and from October 30 to November 13 - in accordance with the dates of Durga Puja, Diwali and Chhath," he said. Last year, too, the department had distributed a similar ration package during the three festivals.