 "Shivraj Singh Chouhan")
The Madhya Pradesh state government is working on a model to convert its fair-price shops into multi-product establishments so that the poor can buy items like toiletries and cosmetics at cheaper prices.
As many as 23.4 million people are below the poverty line in Madhya Pradesh (according to Planning Commission estimate 2011-12), and buy their ration of sugar, wheat and rice at these fair price shops run by state cooperative department. These PDS shops carry a bad reputation of remaining closed despite a large number of beneficiaries being their customers.
The BJP-ruled state government had a discussion recently when state chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan floated an idea that popular products of Patanjali brand be placed and sold at the fair-price shops (public distribution shops) while addressing a programme organised by the cooperatives department in Bhopal.
"The idea is not latest but was floated earlier to invite private players who can offer some discount on maximum retail price of certain household commodities. The state cooperative department is working at it. Any manufacturer, once a workable model comes in, can place its products at PDS shops if the brand or manufacturing company can offer discount on its products. The Patanjali brand was an example given by the state chief minister for its popularity," a highly-placed official in the state government told BS.
Chouhan had said that by selling popular products like Patanjali brand fair price shops can make additional profit.
If the idea floated by Chouhan clicks, the cooperative department would float tenders and invite private players to place their brands at PDS shops. "Those who would offer maximum discount would be preferred," the official said.
Started by Yoga guru Ramdev, Patanjali brand products are popular in Madhya Pradesh too. The Guru has proposed to make an investment of Rs 500 crore in Pithampur industrial area in Dhar district of the state.
"The idea is to ensure varied supply to these shops through a proper chain. Firstly we should have bigger stores in revenue divisions then at district headquarters so that commoners can come and purchase products of their choices at cheaper rates. We not only want to convert fair price shops into multi-utility shops, but will also mulling over an idea to have bigger stores at least at divisional headquarters," Hitesh Vajpayee, chairman of MP State Civil Supplies Corporation said.
Ramdev remains a frequent visitor to Madhya Pradesh as investor, he had been offered a land in Jabalpur for investment purpose. Recently he was given options at Babai (Hoshangabad district) and Pithampur (Dhar district) he chose the latter.
