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The Centre on Wednesday said it is planning to allow retail sale of small LPG cylinders as well as offer financial services through fair price shops as part of its measures to enhance the financial viability of these outlets. Representatives from oil marketing companies (OMCs) welcomed the government’s move for retail selling of small LPG cylinders through fair price shops (FPS), also called ration shops. The government added that the necessary support would be provided for the same by coordinating with interested state and UT governments.
During the virtual meeting with state governments, the food secretary Sudhanshu Pandey stressed on the need for taking proactive measures for enhancing the financial viability of FPSs.
The state governments on their part said the collaboration with Common Service Centres (CSC) will increase the viability of FPS. They had further highlighted that they would coordinate with CSC to review feasibility according to local requirements.
Awareness campaigns on FPS
With regards to the proposal to offer financial services through FPS, the Department of Financial Services (DFS) representatives informed that the necessary support would be provided for the same in coordination with interested states. In the statement, the government is planning to extend MUDRA loans to FPS dealers for augmenting the capital.
The food secretary has advised CSC to conduct separate workshops and webinars with different groups of states and union territories to provide sensitisation on potential benefits, capacity building of FPS and facilitating implementation of these initiatives. It has also asked states to take up initiatives and tailor them to suit their requirements.
Also, the secretary has requested the states to conduct outreach campaigns and continuous awareness simultaneously to sensitise FPS dealers on the benefits of these initiatives.
In India, there are around 5.26 lakh fair price shops. Through this subsidised foodgrains under the National Food Security Act are distributed to the poor beneficiaries.