STDs, kerosene oil at fair-price shops on cards

Fair-price shops may now broaden their basket of commodities. The Ministry of Food has given them a green signal to start STD booths, obtain...

Fair-price shops may now broaden their basket of commodities. The Ministry of Food has given them a green signal to start STD booths, obtain LPG/kerosene oil dealerships and distributorship of ORS and other public utility items to help them ehance their viability. The Food Ministry has written to the Ministries of Health and Family Welfare, Petroleum and Natural Gas, and Telecommunications to consider the proposal.

This was decided after Minister of Agriculture, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Sharad Pawar met members of the All India Fair Price Shop Dealers’ Federation today.

The Minister also indicated he would consider the recommendation of the recent State Food Ministers’ Conference that the distribution of foodgrain through fair-price shops for Antyodaya Anna Yojana families be entitled to a retail commission from the Government.

The ministry is also examining the recommendation that legal heirs or dependents of a fair-price shop licensee be given preference for allotment of a fair-price shop if such a situation arose. Instructions have already been given to the FCI to ensure two months’ availability of foodgrain in all States. The Ministry of Finance has been requested to consider providing bank credit to fair-price shops as a Priority Sector Lending to enable them avail of credits at low-interest rates.

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