MAPUSA: Civil Supplies Minister, Mr Dayanand Mandrekar has stated that the profit margin of fair price shop dealers which was a mere 2 per cent earlier would now be hiked to 10 per cent so that the dealers can earn a substantial profit. 

Mr Mandrekar was speaking after inaugurating a fair price shop at Munang Waddo in Assagao.

Mr Mandrekar urged fair price shop owners to work sincerely. He said that there were often reports of misuse of schemes like BPL, APL, Antyodyay, with diversion of food grains which were meant for PDS utilisation.

He admitted that some of the state godowns were unhygienic and in a dilapidated condition but added that he has taken cognisance of the matter and assured that godowns will receive food grains from FCI in a good condition.

"Fair price shops under the public distribution system are supposed to serve the needy. Such shops must be run effectively. The government is ready to support such people as long as they work sincerely without any ulterior motives," he said. 

Commenting on the decreased kerosene quota, Mr Mandrekar informed that there are 1.2 lakh people without an LPG connection. He said the state’s central monthly kerosene quota was just around 4 lakh litres, which works out to 3.5 litres per person per month, which is not adequate. He said that he will urge the Union Civil Supplies Minister to hike the state’s kerosene quota during his forthcoming visit to Delhi.

Owner of the shop, Mr Shrikrishna Pokre, lamented that since 2009, his efforts of setting up the shop were repeatedly turned down the authorities and by the erstwhile minister. He said that Mr Mandrekar, who coincidently is also the local MLA, expedited the process.

The new fair price shop has come as a big relief to 600 ration card holders from Assagao who were forced to travel to Mapusa to obtain their ration quota.

The minister later distributed food grains to two beneficiaries of Assagao and was also felicitated by locals from Assagao.

Assagao Sarpanch Ms Priyanka Sangelkar and deputy sarpanch Mr Anand Khandolkar were also present. Social workers Mr Shrikhanth Parsekar and Mr Shivaji Gauns were also present.