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New Delhi, August 21, 2024 — In a significant move to boost nutrition and income for Fair Price Shop (FPS) dealers, the Union government launched a pilot project on Tuesday to transform 60 FPS into Jan Poshan Kendras. This initiative, rolled out in the states of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh, aims to address the long-standing demand from FPS dealers to increase their income while simultaneously enhancing access to nutrition-rich food items for consumers.
Union Minister of Food and Public Distribution Pralhad Venkatesh Joshi spearheaded the launch, emphasizing that the Jan Poshan Kendras would offer a wide variety of nutrition-rich food products. This initiative is part of the government’s first 100-day program and is seen as a crucial step towards curbing malnutrition while providing FPS dealers with a sustainable income stream.
“The Jan Poshan Kendras will dedicate 50 percent of their storage to nutrition-rich products, while the remaining space will be utilized for other essential household items,” Joshi said. “This transformation not only enhances the nutritional options available to the public but also empowers FPS dealers with a diversified income source.”
In addition to the pilot project, Joshi introduced several other initiatives aimed at strengthening the country’s food security ecosystem. These include the launch of the FPS Sahay application, Mera Ration App 2.0, a Quality Management System (QMS), a Quality Manual Handbook, a contract manual for the Food Corporation of India (FCI), and the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) accreditation of three laboratories.
Each of these programs is designed to enhance transparency, ensure strict quality control, and prevent malnutrition and leakages within the system. The FPS Sahay application, developed by the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), is an Invoice-Based Financing (IBF) tool that offers paperless, collateral-free financing to FPS dealers. The Mera Ration App 2.0, an upgraded mobile application, comes with enhanced features for users, and the QMS is a critical tool for ensuring real-time quality control during procurement, storage, and distribution stages.
“The quality control handbook, formulated by the Department of Food and Public Distribution, provides detailed guidelines and standards to ensure the highest quality of food products distributed through these channels,” Joshi added.
During the event, Joshi reiterated the government’s commitment to achieving the goal of Viksit Bharat 2047, highlighting the extension of the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) for another five years with an estimated financial outlay of ₹12 lakh crore. This extension aims to further enhance food security across the country.
The Minister also underscored the success of the One Nation One Ration Card initiative, which has already streamlined food distribution and facilitated seamless transactions across India.
As the pilot project unfolds, the government is hopeful that the transformation of Fair Price Shops into Jan Poshan Kendras will serve as a model for nationwide implementation, ultimately contributing to the dual goals of improved nutrition and enhanced livelihood for FPS dealers.
