Public Distribution System

COOPERATIVES IN PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

INTRODUCTION

The Public Distribution System plays a paramount role in ensuring food security to everyone by implementing the National Food Security Act, 2013 in TamilNadu. The Cooperatives play a vital role in the effective implementation of Universal Public Distribution System in Tamil Nadu. Tamil Nadu is the only state where Universal Public Distribution System is implemented in India. The Cooperatives have built an extensive distribution network in the State and run majority of the Fair Price Shops i.e. 33,609 as on 31.12.2022 as detailed below:

Sl.No. Type of Cooperative Society No. of fair price shops (31.12.2022)
1 District Consumer Cooperative Wholesale Stores 3,451
2 Cooperative Marketing Society 2,578
3 Primary Cooperative Stores 1,706
4 Primary Agricultural Cooperative Credit Society 24,609
5 Urban Cooperative Credit Society 966
6 Large Area Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society 248
7 Others 51
Total 33609

COOPERATIVE FAIR PRICE SHOPS

33,609 Fair price Shops are functioning statewide to distribute essential commodities like Rice, Sugar and Wheat to family card holders and 244 kerosene bunks are run by the Cooperative Societies exclusively for distribution of kerosene to the family card holders. The Fair Price Shops sell Special PDS commodities like Tur dal and Palmolein at subsidized rates provided by Government of Tamilnadu. These outlets also sell non-controlled commodities such as Ooty Tea, Arasu Salt, Palm Jaggery and MinorMillets (Ragi, Kambu, Thinai, Kuthiraivali, Saamai and Varagu) at reasonable prices.

TYPES OF CARDS

Card Type Total No.of Cards Eligible Commodities
Rice Cards 1,81,78,735 All Commodities
Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) 17,72,799 All Commodities
Old Age Pension Cards (OAP) 3,44,081 All Commodities
Anna Poorna Cards (ANP) 6,280 All Commodities
Sugar Option Cards 3,34,005 All Commodities except Rice and Wheat
Police and Forest Cards 57,680 All Commodities
No Commodities (NC) 53,210 No Commodities
Total 20746790

COMMODITIES DISTRIBUTED THROUGH PDS

Essential Commodities

Rice, Wheat, Sugar, Kerosene.

Special PDS Commodities

Tur Dhall, Palmolein

SCALE OF SUPPLY

Sl.No. Commodities Scale of Supply Remarks
1 Rice One Person-12Kg 2 person-16 Kg 3 persons-20 Kg 4 persons-20 kg Above 4 persons additional 5 Kg per person subject to a ceiling of 20 Kg for NPHH cards. PHH AAY cards - 35Kg. No ceiling for PHH cards Free of cost from 1.6.2011
2 Wheat Rural areas 5 Kg out of the eligible grains. Urban areas 10 Kg out of the eligible grains Rs.7.50 From 24.7. 2002 to 01.02.2017 Free of cost from 02.02.2017
3 Sugar 0.5 Kg per Unit subject to a maximum of 2 Kg per card For NPHH-S card maximum of 5 Kg is issued. Rs.25.00 From 01.11.2017 AAY- Rs:13.50
4 Kerosene Scale of supply ranges from 3 to 15 Ltrs based on the place and No.of LPG cylinders. 2 cylinders – No supply 1 cylinder – 3 litre No cylinder – 15 litre for Urban areas – 10 litre for Rural areas Ranging from Rs.15.00 to Rs.16.50 w.e.f.04.09.2020 as fixed by collector
5 TurDhall 1Kg per card Rs.30/-(From 01.02.2011)
6 Palmolein 1L per card Rs.25/- (From 01.02.2011)
7 OAP 4Kg Rice per card Free of Cost
8 ANP 10Kg Rice per card Free of Cost
9 AAY 35Kg Rice per card Free of Cost

COST OF THE COMMODITIES

Sl.No. Commodities Scale of Supply Remarks
1 Rice Free of Cost from 01.06.2011
2 Wheat Free of Cost from 02.02.2017
3 Sugar Rs.25.00 per Kg Rs.13.50 per Kg for PHH AAY cards from 01.11.2017
4 Kerosene Ranging from Rs.15.00 to 16.50 as fixed by collector from 04.09.2020
5 TurDhall Rs.30.00 per Kg from 01.02.2011
6 Palmolein Rs.25.00 Per Litre from 01.02.2011

MOBILE FAIR PRICE SHOPS

57 mobile fair price shops are functioning in hilly and remote rural areas with a view to supply essential commodities to the cardholders at their doorsteps. Through these 57 Mobile fair price shops, essential commodities are distributed to 18,642 card holders in 307 villages.

AMMA MOBILE FAIR PRICE SHOPS

The then Hon’ble Chief Minister has announced on the floor of assembly under Rule 110, that 3,501 Amma Mobiles Fair Shops will be opened at a cost of Rs.9.66 Crores. All 3501 Amma Mobile Fair Shops have been opened and functioning.

SALE OF EMPTY GUNNIES THROUGH E-AUCTION IN MSTC LTD :

Presently, the empty gunnies collected from all the fair price shops functioning under the cooperatives are pooled at the head quarters of concerned societies in each region. The details of the empty Jute gunnies are uploaded in the MSTC (Metal Scrap Trade Corporation Ltd.,) portal and the empty gunnies are sold through e-auction platform of MSTC (Metal Scrap Trade Corporation Ltd.,) in a transparent manner from September 2017. Till December 2022, a total of 31,03,02,510 empty gunnies have been sold through the e-auction platform of MSTC (Metal Scrap Trade Corporation Ltd.,)

Yearwise Sales Break up

Sl.No. Year No.of Gunnies Sold through MSTC Sales value
1 2017-18 5,41,33,182 46,26,88,352
2 2018-19 5,77,61,132 82,77,86,835
3 2019-20 5,91,57,311 88,33,82,571
4 2020-21 7,44,99,454 1,34,02,83,900
5 2021-22 302,01,527 67,90,27,921
6 2022-23 (upto 31.12.2022) 2,44,86,284 45,81,66,339

SALE OF OTHER COMMODITIES

OOTY TEA

In order to support and uplift the socio economic conditions of the small Tea Growers in Nilgiris District, the Government have established The INDCOSERVE i.e., Tamil Nadu Small Tea Growers Industrial Cooperative Tea Factories Federation Limited in the year 1965. It is functioning under the Department of Industries and Commerce.

To alleviate the hardships faced by the small tea growers, Ooty tea purchased from the INDCOSERVE (The Tamilnadu Small Tea Growers’ Industrial Cooperative Tea Factories’ Federation Ltd.,) is sold through the Fair Price Shops run by the Cooperative Societies since 2001.

INDCOSERVE supplies blended tea under the brand “Ooty tea” through the Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation and Cooperatives.

Yearwise Sales Break up

Sl.No. Year Quantity of Ooty Tea Sold through Cooperatives (in M.T) Sales value (in Lakhs)
1 2017-18 2375 4512.50
2 2018-19 2475 4702.70
3 2019-20 2392 4545.71
4 2020-21 2,091 4,357.63
5 2021-22 2,046 4,501.20
6 2022-23 (upto 31.12.2022) 1,823 4,010.60

ARASU SALT

Tamil Nadu Salt Corporation is playing a major role in eradicating Iodine and Iron deficiency disorders prevalent among the general public of the state by distributing Iodized salt and Double Fortified Salt (Iodine and Iron) in the market and through Cooperation Department.

The Cooperatives distribute different varieties of Arasu Salt at reasonable Prices through the Public Distribution System helping the public fight against iodine and iron deficiency diseases.

The different varieties of Arasu Salt distributed through the Public Distribution System are given below:

Sl.No Varieties of Salt
1 Crystal Iodized Salt (1 kg)
2Crystal Iodized Salt (1/2 kg)
3Refined Free Flow Iodised Salt
4 Double Fortified Salt(Iron &Iodine)
5 Low Sodium Salt

15,942 MT of Arasu Salt was sold during 2022-2023 through Fair Price Shops upto December 2022.

Yearwise Sales Break up

Sl.No. Year Quantity of Arasu Salt Sold through Cooperatives (in M.T)
1 2017-18 26399
2 2018-19 26420
3 2019-20 23930
4 2020-21 18434
5 2021-22 15,474
6 2022-23 (upto 31.12.2022) 15,942

PALM JAGGERY

With a view to promote the sale of Palm products, an announcement was made during the Agriculture Budget 2021-22. Palm Jaggery procured by Khadi and Village Industries Board is being sold through select Fair Price Shops run by Cooperative Societies under the brand name of “Karpagam” from October 2021 onwards.

Yearwise Sales Break up:

Year Sales value (in Lakhs)
2021-22 37.81
2022-23 (upto 31.12.2022) 59.26

MINOR MILLETS

Consequent on the announcement made during the Agriculture Budget 2021-22, Minor Millets such as Ragi, Kambu, Thinai, Kuthiraivalli, Saamai and Varagu procured through the Farmers Producers (FPOs) promoted by Commissioner/ Directorate of Agricultural Marketing and Agri Business is being sold through select Fair Price Shops/Retail Outlets run by Cooperatives/Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation run in Chennai and Coimbatore cities on pilot basis.

5 Kg / 2 Kg FTL Cylinders

Migrant workers, hostel dwellers, street vendors and pushcart vendors in Tamil Nadu can get cylinders by submitting government approved identity card only without any address proof and in accordance with the safety conditions laid down by IOC/BPCL/HPCL in Fair Price Shops operated by cooperative societies. Cooperative LPG distributors have been allowed to start sale of 5 kg / 2 kg LPG – FTL cylinders.

ISO Certification

With a view to offer best service to the cardholders in Fair Price Shops, steps have been taken to obtain ISO:9001 certification for Quality Management System and ISO:28000 certification for Security in Supply Chain Management and Storage for Fair Price Shops functioning under Cooperation Department.

Modernization of Fair Price Shops

In commemoration of the 75th Independence Day (Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav), facelifting activities of 75 Fair Price Shops in each district is being carried out in order to transform them as Model Fair Price Shops. As on 20.01.2023 2849 Fair Price Shops have been given facelift.

CONSTRUCTION OF FAIR PRICE SHOP BUILDINGS

The status of 33,609 Fair Price Shops run by the Cooperative Societies as on 31.12.2022 is given below:-

Sl.No Details No. of Fair Price Shops
1 Own Building 3,395
2 Government Building 17,320
3 Rent Free Building 5,873
4 Rented Building 7,021
5 Total 33,609

Action is being taken to construct own buildings for the Fair Price Shops through the funds allotted by M.L.A.,s and M.P.,s in a phased manner. 1044 new buildings for Fair Price Shops have been constructed in the last eight years and 44 new buildings for Fair Price Shops have been constructed during 2022-23 as on 31.12.2022.

To construct new buildings for fair price shops functioning in Private rental buildings 6,970 fair price shops have been identified. Two type designs have been approved by the Government for the construction of new buildings to Fair price Shops, one at 440 sq.ft. for the shops having less than 500 cards at an estimate of Rs.7.00 lakh and another one at 550 sq.ft. for the shops having more than 500 cards at an estimate of Rs.10.00 lakh. Out of 986 places, 615 Enter upon permission and 378 Administrative sanction were given by District Collectors. Totally 19 Fair Price Shops have been fully constructed and in 204 other places, construction of new buildings is under progress at various stages.

AMMA MINI COOPERATIVE SUPERMARKET :

Amma Mini Cooperative Supermarkets have been opened in 892 fair price shops all over the State. In selected Fair Price Shops in important cities, District head quarters, Taluk head quarters and in Municipal areas, Amma Mini Cooperative Supermarkets were opened with a view to facilitate ration cardholders to get monthly requirement of Groceries, oils, household items along with Public Distribution System commodities at a single point.

In Amma Mini Cooperative Supermarkets, 300 non-controlled products are being sold at 5% lesser than MRP. Quality products are being sold to the consumers at a reasonable price and it is beneficial for the poor and downtrodden as it enhances the purchasing power of the individual and to control the price of commodities in the open market.

In all the Amma Mini Cooperative Super Markets, among other products, the Cooperative Products such as Mangalam Turmeric Powder, Masala Powders, Kumkum, etc., manufactured by Erode Agricultural Producers Cooperative Marketing Society, Arthanareeswara brand Rice, Urid Dhall, Gingelly, Groundnut and Coconut Oils manufactured by Tiruchengode Agricultural Producers Cooperative Marketing Society, Pasumai Brand Gingelly, and Coconut Oils manufactured by Perundurai Agricultural Producers Cooperative Marketing Society, Millets produced by LAMPS and produces produced by various Agricultural Producers Cooperative Marketing Societies such as, Cardamom, Pepper, Jaggery, Tamarind etc., are also available in these outlets for sale.

Non Controlled Commodities to the tune of Rs.20.00 crores have been sold through Amma Mini Cooperative Super Markets in the last years.

Sl.No. Year Sales value in Rs.
1 2018-19 3,66,94,994
2 2019-20 20,13,97,886
3 2020-21 63,36,84,213
4 2021-22 81,27,65,384
5 2022-23 (upto 31.12.2022) 23,80,76,740

SPECIAL ACTIVITIES DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC PERIOD

Social Distance:

  • During the month of April 2020, the Government have ordered to provide cash support of Rs.1000/- as Corona Relief fund to all the eligible Rice card holders. Rs.1987.20 Crore was disbursed as Corona Relief fund to all the eligible Rice card holders.
  • In addition, free Rice, Sugar, Wheat, Toor dal and Palm oil were distributed to all the family card holders from April to July 2020 as per the Government Order.
  • To support the livelihood of General public during this pandemic period an amount of Rs.4196.98 Crore has been allocated by the Government and the first installment (May 2021) corona relief cash support of Rs.2000 has been distributed to 2,08,24,176 Rice card holders which is 99.36% of the total cards.
  • Similarly, to provide the second installment (June 2021) the corona relief cash support of Rs.4196.98 Crore has been allocated by the Government, and cash has been distributed to 99.33% of the total eligible Rice card holders.
  • In addition to this under the Prime Minister Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, 5kg Rice has been provided free of cost to every family member of PHH and PHH AAY family card holders during April 2020 to November 2020 and also during April 2021 to December 2022. And under the State scheme, 5Kg of Rice has been provided free of cost to every family member of the NPHH card holders during April 2020 to November 2020 and also during May 2021 to July 2021.

Grocery kits-Rs.500

All over Tamil Nadu, Free Grocery kits containing 14 items were distributed to 2,07,70,332 Rice card holders through Fair Price Shops during the month of June and July 2021 to ease the inconvenience to the public due to Corona lockdown extension.

Mask Distribution for Salesman

During the Covid-19 pandemic disease, in order to comply with social distancing norms, tokens have been issued to the card holders, specifying the date and time on which the essential Commodities were distributed by the Fair Price Shop Employees. In order to protect the Fair Price Shop Employees from COVID 19 disease, each Fair Price Shop Employee were supplied with three washable masks at the rate of Rs.60/- each which was borne by Tamil Nadu Cooperative Union from its Cooperative Research and Development Fund

SPECIAL INITIATIVES FOR THE WELFARE OF THE EMPLOYEES OF THE FAIR PRICE SHOPS.

The Fair Price shop employees are more prone to Covid – 19 infections while distributing the essential commodities, Corona relief cash support, distribution of tokens to cardholders at their doorsteps, distribution of essential commodities to the cardholders in the containment zones at their doorsteps etc. Considering the nature of their service, the Government ordered the following relief measures to them.

  • Sanction of Rs.6.13 crores for allowing one time Special incentive of Rs.2500 to salesman and Rs.2000 to packer, from Cooperative Research and Development Fund
  • All the Fair Price Shop Employees are provided with double layered Face masks, Pair of Gloves and Sanitizers.
  • Each Fair Price Shop Employee were supplied with three washable masks at the rate of Rs.60/- each, which is funded from Cooperative Research and Development Fund.
  • The Fair Price Shop employees were sanctioned Rs.200 per day towards the travelling and incidental expenses, due to the stoppage of public transport during Corona Lockdown period from 25.03.2020 to 31.07.2020 for 128 days.