Ration-shops-on-wheels soon

8220;Under the new scheme, the government will provide such mobile vans to cooperative societies, charitable institutions as well as individuals. However, the exact quota for these categories will be decided subsequently,8221; the official added.

8220;Each van will be given a specific jurisdiction and it will not be permitted to operate beyond it. It is expected that each van will cater to 1000 families. We are proposing to take help from housing societies for stationing the mobile vans to enable the consumers to buy essential commodities,8221; he said.

The official said thatthe Centre has made available financial aid of Rs 1.80 crore on a 50 per cent loan and the rest as subsidy basis for kicking off the new scheme in the metropolis.

8220;The original scheme for mobile ration shops has been designed by the Centre to facilitate delivery of essential commodities in remote and inaccessible areas and also for cities, where opening new shops is difficult,8221; the official added.

Elaborating on the concept of mobile fair price shops, the official said in a city like Mumbai, no trader or even cooperative society is coming forward to start new ration shops. One of the reasons for the poor response for the shops under the public distribution system is the high rates of real estate.

8220;Leading traders as well as businessmen are reluctant to open ration shops in Mumbai due to poor profit margin. If they open any other business, it is more profitable. This was evident when there was absolutely no response to the advertisement for new ration shops floated by the government,8221; the officialpointed out.

The official said in areas like South Mumbai, Worli and Dadar, while the existing shops are being closed by the owners, no new individuals or organisations are showing any interest.

There are 3000 fair shops in Mumbai a large number of which face closure as their owners find it more profitable to sell off the premises. 8220;On a rent of Rs 10,000 per month in addition to a deposit of Rs 15 lakh to Rs 25 lakh, no one will open a ration shop. Instead, he will start a lucrative business,8221; the official remarked.

The official said in tribal and drought prone areas, the state government has already launched a door-delivery system. 8220;Under the door delivery system, the government delivers the essential commodities to the fair price shop owner at his shop, which is subsequently distributed to the tribals at a subsidised rate,8221; he said.