"The state cabinet which met here yesterday under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah authorised CAPD Department to open 7697 departmental sale outlets in replacement of the existing fair price shops," an official spokesman said.
The cabinet has asked the department to engage 7697 salesmen and an equal number of helpers through internal adjustment to handle the outlets on casual basis, he said.
The department is also authorised to take all necessary steps to make these outlets functional, the spokesman said.