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PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
One of the
primary duties of a welfare state is to ensure food security to its people.
The government attaches utmost importance to ensure availability of quality
rice to all, specifically to the poor and downtrodden at affordable price
under the public distribution system. Keeping this in mind, this government
immediately after assuming charge issued orders reducing the selling price
of rice under public distribution system and Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) to
Rs.1 per kg with effect from 15-9-2008.
In Tamil Nadu,
the public distribution system is operated through the fair price shops run
by Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation and cooperatives. The cooperatives
play a prominent role in the distribution of essential commodities to
around 1.73 crore cardholders through an extensive network of 22072 fair
price shops. In addition to this, the cooperatives are also running 6157
part-time fair price shops and 8 mobile fair price shops to serve the
families in remote and inaccessible areas. There are 609 sub-retail outlets
run by women and self help groups. The cooperatives also run 263 kerosene
bunks to distribute kerosene in the state.
Under AAY
scheme, 35 Kgs of rice is distributed to every cardholder per month. In our
state 15.41 lakhs people are getting the benefit under this scheme through
the fair price shops run by the cooperatives.
Women
Fair Price Shops
With the
intention of empowering women and enhancing their economic status, the
government have ordered for handing over certain fair price shops to women
self help groups under the control of the Tamil Nadu Women Development
Corporation. As on 31-3-2009, women's self help groups run 618 fair price
shops in the state.
Supply
of Electronic Weighing Machines to Fair Price Shops
In order to
ensure that the consumers get the correct quantity of essential commodities
and to prevent under-weighment to the public, all the fair price shops in
Tamil Nadu will be provided with electronic weighing machines in a phased
manner. As on 30.11.2009 Electric weighing machines were installed in
26,874 fair price shops.
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