PANAJI
In what could give a major boost towards strengthening the financial position of the 450 fair price shop (FPS) operations, the State government has accorded its approval to the special “Compensation to FPS Dealers" scheme, under which an operating expense of Rs 9,500 per shop per month would be provided, apart from enhancing the margins per items.
The department of Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs had proposed the scheme, that speaks about waiving of the ePoS rent at Rs 0.10 paisa per kg and adding an ePoS incentive at Rs 105 per ton will impose additional burden of over Rs 10 crore on the State government.
Highly placed sources confirmed that the scheme has got administrative approval of the government and is now awaiting Finance Department clearance.
According to the department, the scheme is a ray of hope for those considering shutting the FPS.
As per the proposed scheme, the department has recommended providing monthly operating expenses to the tune of Rs 9,500 per FPS for payment towards wages, electricity, rentals, taxes, thermal rolls, transportation, and handling.
Additionally, the scheme proposes to enhance the cost of rice allocation for Above Poverty Line (APL) (Fortified Rice) from Rs 12.50 to Rs 16.50. Also, the margin commission on rice has been enhanced from Rs 2.80 per kg to 3.15 per kg.
