Ration shops may soon take on a completely different look as the state civil supplies department is all set to introduce the concept of K-stores to diversify the services available.
Under this initiative, ration shops will double as renewable centres, apart from trading in small gas cylinders of 5 kg, Milma products and subsidized items of Supplyco. Firstly, five ration shops have been identified in each district across the state for the rollout of the project.
In Ernakulam district, one ration shop each has been identified in Kochi, Kothamangalam and Aluva taluks, while two have been earmarked in Kunnathunadu taluk on the basis of available space and fulfillment of the governing conditions for the proposed project. While the project is yet to be officially launched, its logo is already out. The ration shops earmarked for K-stores should have at least 300 square feet of space and should not have any renewable centers or banks within a 1.5-km radius.
“The project is likely to benefit mainly rural areas as there are hardly any places in the urban limits that do not have renewable centers or banks within a 5 km radius. In the near future, ATM services for transactions above Rs 5,000 may also be offered as part of K-stores,” said a senior official of the Civil Supplies Department.
However, concrete guidelines regarding the project are awaited. It is not yet clear whether the ration shop owner will have to make the initial investment as it will require at least one employee to be hired and a laptop to run the Akshaya Kendra.