Major decision by Odisha Cabinet: Time limit for ration shops extended
Bhubaneswar. Odisha government has taken an important decision regarding Public Distribution System (PDS). In the state cabinet meeting held on Monday, approval was given to extend the deadline for handing over the responsibility under the public distribution system to institutional agencies instead of private dealers by one year. Now the last date to complete this process has been set as 30 September 2027. The state government has taken this decision with the aim of continuing the ration distribution system without any hindrance and ensuring supply of essential food items to the beneficiaries covered under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013. This decision has provided additional time for the process of replacing private dealers with institutional agencies.
Information about this decision has been given in the press release issued by the Food Supply and Consumer Welfare Department of the Government of Odisha. According to the department, all activities related to the Public Distribution System in the state are governed under the Odisha Public Distribution System Control Order, 2016. Under this system, food grains are made available to eligible beneficiaries through fair price shops in the state. The objective of the government is to ensure that there is no interruption in the distribution system and the beneficiaries continue to get the prescribed facilities.
The state government had earlier set a deadline for the process of handing over the responsibility of the public distribution system to institutional agencies in place of private dealers. Now it has been extended by one year to 30 September 2027. Additional time has been given to make changes in the system related to this decision. The government has taken special care that during this process the common beneficiaries do not face any difficulty in getting the ration.
According to the Department of Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare, a total of 11,706 fair price shops are currently operating in Odisha. Ration distribution is done through these shops under the public distribution system. These shops are being operated by different categories of institutions and dealers in the state.
Private dealers have a significant stake in the operation of fair price shops in the state. As per available data, currently 4,963 fair price shops are being run by private dealers. These are the shops whose decisions regarding the process of bringing in institutional agencies in their operation are considered important. The government has tried to maintain the smooth functioning of the public distribution system by extending the deadline for this change.
Apart from this, 4,026 fair price shops are being operated by Gram Panchayats in the state. This participation of Gram Panchayats in the public distribution system is an important part of the ration distribution system at the local level. Arrangements are made to deliver food grains to the beneficiaries through these shops operating in rural areas.
Women self-help groups also have a major involvement in the public distribution system in Odisha. According to data provided by the department, 2,256 fair price shops are being run by women self-help groups in the state. Apart from this, 191 shops are being operated by other self-help groups. Thus, self-help groups are also playing an important role in the ration distribution system.
242 fair price shops are being operated through cooperative societies in the state. The responsibility of 28 shops is with other organizations. In this way, under the public distribution system, various types of institutions and dealers are doing the work of distributing ration. Keeping these arrangements in mind, the government has decided to extend the time for the process of replacing private dealers with institutional agencies.
Arrangements have been made to provide food grains to eligible beneficiaries under the National Food Security Act, 2013. It is important to maintain continuity of ration distribution under this Act. If there is any administrative or systemic disruption during the transition to operation of fair price shops, it may impact the beneficiaries. To avoid this situation, the government has approved extension in the deadline.
This decision of the cabinet is being considered important for the continuity of the ration distribution system. The process of handing over responsibility to institutional agencies in place of private dealers may take time. In such a situation, increasing the prescribed period will facilitate the progress of related arrangements in a phased manner. The main objective of the government is to ensure that ration distribution is not disrupted during the transition process.
The Odisha Public Distribution System Control Order, 2016 is the basis for the arrangements related to ration distribution in the state. Under this order, the processes related to operation of fair price shops and public distribution system are governed. The government has revised the deadline for changing private dealers in view of the current system.
A total of 11,706 fair price shops being operated through various institutions in the state reflects the comprehensive nature of the public distribution system. Apart from private dealers, there is participation of Gram Panchayats, women self-help groups, other self-help groups, cooperative societies and other organizations. The new decision of the government is mainly to free private dealers from institutional agencies.