UP: 950 self-help groups may take over idle PDS outlets

LUCKNOW: In an attempt to expedite distribution of foodgrain to the needy hit by coronavirus pandemic, the government has identified over 950 self-help groups (SHGs) to run public distribution system (PDS) outlets lying unattended in the state.
An exclusive data, accessed by TOI, shows that the government is in the process of allocating those ration shops to SHGs whose licences have been cancelled following detection of discrepancies.

The development comes nearly a month after the rural development department decided to allocate fair price shops to SHGs which are essentially run by women.
In a government order dated July 8, additional chief secretary, rural development, Manoj Kumar Singh had said there were 2,020 PDS outlets whose licences have been cancelled.
The letter, addressed to director, state rural livelihood mission, Sujit Kumar, said district supply officers should initiate the process of allocating ration shops to SHGs.
The food and civil supplies department had also written to the food commissioner and all district magistrates, citing its August 2019 order highlighting the procedure which should be adopted for allocation of PDS shops.
The order issued by principal secretary (food and civil supplies) Veena Kumari said SHGs should be allocated PDS shops so that financial benefits could spread across the state.
The department had decided that SHGs would be given first priority while the retailers who are selling kerosene and whose license to sell foodgrain have been cancelled, would be given second priority. On applications by multiple SHGs, priority would be given to the group with more active members.
If multiple applicants have the same number of active members, priority would be given to the one with better balance sheet.
The decision will be taken by a committee set up by the state rural livelihood mission directorate.
The SHGs would have to provide the names of members who would be deployed in the shops. The profit earned would be deposited in the bank account of the respective group.
The district magistrate concerned would ensure training to members of SHGs. The government has also decided that the deputy commissioner (self-employment), SRLM, would look into the problems faced by the groups.
According to the standard operation procedures (SOPs), SHGs would be required to apply in development blocks and provide details like the proposal, a copy of passbook and the number of members in the SHG.