More than 51 thousand Fair Price Shops in Maharashtra; Stands second in the country
Mumbai, 3/9/2019: There are 51 thousand 922 Fair Price Shops (FPS) in Maharashtra strengthening Public Distribution System (PDS). Five thousand 427 FPSs are located in tribal areas. Maharashtra stands second in the country regarding the number of FPSs. Uttar Pradesh have maximum FPSs.
The distribution of these FPSs in the State is as following: Women Self-Help Groups- five thousand 222, SC category- three thousand 331, ST- three thousand 451, General quota – 29 thousand 593, co-operative societies-seven thousand 991, ex-servicemen- 246, Gram Panchayats- 187, men Self-Help Groups- 129 and Nagari Sahkari Sanstha -157. 25 mobile FPSs are also started for citizens’ convenience.
Regular distribution in PDS ensures food safety and providence of life necessities at fair prices to the deprived community in the society. Central and State government are jointly fulfilling their responsibilities like selecting beneficiaries, purchasing food grains and its distribution through the established FPS chains.
Wheat, rice, sugar, kerosene, etc. basic necessaries of life are distributed through FPSs. Beneficiaries’ identities are verified through biometric system and the food grains are distributed through Point of Cell (POS) machine.
The Government has started aim-oriented, efficient, and transparent Public Distribution System to ensure food safety assurance and to prevent corruption. The whole process from purchasing food grain to its distribution to beneficiaries has been digitalized under this system.
