Guwahati: The Assam government has temporarily suspended its “Affordable Supply of Masur Dal, Sugar and Salt” scheme from June due to the ongoing Vote-on-Account Budget arrangement, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on Sunday.

In an update issued through the Chief Minister’s Office, the state government stated that the subsidised distribution programme would remain suspended until the full state budget is approved by the newly constituted government.

The scheme, which provides masur dal, sugar and salt to beneficiaries at subsidised rates, has been a key welfare initiative aimed at easing the burden of rising household expenses for economically weaker sections of society.

According to the government, the temporary suspension is linked to budgetary procedures under the Vote-on-Account arrangement and is not a permanent discontinuation of the programme.

Officials said the scheme will be reinstated from August following the passage and approval of the full state budget. Beneficiaries are expected to resume receiving the subsidised essential commodities once the programme is restored.

The announcement comes as the state government continues to operate under interim financial provisions pending the approval of the comprehensive budget for the current fiscal year.