Over 5 lakh fair price shops operational in India

New Delhi, July 30: The government on Friday informed the Parliament that 5.38 lakh fair price shops are operational across the country, with Uttar Pradesh having the maximum number at 80,493.

In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti said 5.38 lakh fair price shops under the public distribution system are operating in the country right now.

She said that the states have been advised to issue licenses to these shops for at least 5 years duration.

While Uttar Pradesh has 80,493 fair price shops, Bihar has 47, 032 shops and Assam runs 38,237 shops.

Fair price shops will be the backbone of the ‘one nation one ration’ scheme which will enable beneficiaries under the National Food Security Act buy subsidised ration from fair price shops in the country. The scheme will prove a boon especially for migrant workers who move from state to state in search of work and livelihood.

As per an estimate, more than 80 crore people are expected to benefit from the scheme. The number of ration card holders stand at 23.63 crore.