AGARTALA | AUGUST 28, 2026: Protesting against sky-rocketing essential commodity prices, severe disruptions in the Public Distribution System (PDS), and systemic cutbacks in ration supplies, the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) along with the Daily Wage Workers’ Union (Dinamajoor Union) staged a massive protest rally in Agartala.
A large number of daily wage earners, informal sector workers, and trade union activists took to the streets, voicing strong condemnation of central and state government policies that have severely impacted low-income households.
Core Issues & Major Grievances Highlighted
- Unchecked Essential Price Rise: Protesters highlighted the unabated rise in the open-market prices of food grains, mustard oil, pulses, and vegetables, accusing the administration of failing to control black marketing and market manipulation.
- Reduction in Ration Rice Entitlement: The trade union leaders sharply criticized the state government’s recent decision to slash per-card rice allocations under the PDS, leaving economically vulnerable families unable to meet basic monthly food needs.
- Discontinuation of Subsidized Sugar: The agitators strongly protested against the abrupt halt in sugar distribution and irregular supplies of key commodities across fair price shops in the state.
- Impact on Daily Wage Earners: Speakers noted that stagnant daily wages, combined with soaring inflation and shrinking welfare support, have pushed daily wage laborers into extreme financial distress.
Key Demands Put Forward
- Immediate restoration and enhancement of subsidized rice quotas and full resumption of sugar distribution across all ration shops in Tripura.
- Strict administrative monitoring and enforcement drives against hoarding, black marketing, and price gouging in wholesale and retail markets.
- Guarantee of minimum daily wages, expanded employment days under MGNREGA/TWEP, and social security coverage for daily wage and unorganized sector workers.
Rally Details & Organizational Presence
- Organizers: CITU Tripura State Committee in coordination with the Daily Wage Workers’ Union (Dinamajoor Union).
- Location: The protest march started from key commercial quarters of Agartala, progressing through major city roads before assembling for a mass rally and submitting a formal charter of demands.
