Ration shops to double up as financial service providers in Chhattisgarh

Besides banking correspondent services through tie-ups with banks, the shops will be allowed to sell other commodities and general store items

The Chhattisgarh government has decided to set up model fair-price shops (FPS) in each district and encourage owners to act as banking correspondents for providing financial services.

The state has around 12,300 fair-price shops across 33 districts. The state government is, however, encouraging FPS owners to provide a host of services besides acting as a banking correspondent. “The model government fair-price shops will be started in all the districts of Chhattisgarh in a phased manner,” state’s food secretary Topeshwar Verma said.

Department officials have been asked to start preparations for this. The shop will be identified in a district after