Rajasthan, Future Group join hands to modernise PDS

The Rajasthan government on Thursday entered into an agreement with Future Consumer Enterprise Ltd. (FCEL) to modernise the public distribution system (PDS) by providing multi-brand consumer goods at competitive prices to public through fair price shops.

Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje launched the initiative, "Annapurna Bhandar Yojna", a public private partnership (PPP) scheme touted as the first of its kind in the country after Rajasthan State Food and Civil Supplies Corporation and FCEL signed an agreement at the chief minister's office here.

"Annapurna Bhandar Yojna would strengthen government's effort in bringing about a positive change and bettering the daily lives of the people of Rajasthan," Raje said in a statement, adding she hoped that this would become India's biggest entrepreneurship drive with 5,000 FPS dealers turning into entrepreneurs.

Future Group CEO Kishore Biyani said: "We are committed to take the benefits of modern retail through the fair prices shops to the common people of Rajasthan."