IEP Chandigarh, July 29
While reiterating its commitment towards women empowerment, the Haryana Government has taken a significant step towards giving command of running one-third ration depots to women in the State. The acid attack victims and widows will be given preference in the allotment of ration depots. Haryana Deputy Chief Minister, Mr. Dushyant Chautala launched the portal of “Fair Price Shop” here today. With this, licenses of 3,224 new ration depots will be given in different areas of the State through online portal. The applicant can apply online on this portal by August 7. While launching the portal, the Deputy Chief Minister said that a provision for 33 percent reservation for women in ration depots has now been implemented. To clear the backlog of women in already operational ration depots, a provision has been made in the allocation of new licenses. He said that out of the total 3,224 ration depots, 2382 ration depots would be allocated to women. This is a huge step towards State Government’s commitment of women empowerment in the State, he added. Mr. Dushyant Chautala said that the allocation of these new ration depots would be made under the PDS Control Order 2022, which came into effect from August 1, 2022. As per the order, one fair price government shop (Ration Depot) will be established for every 300 beneficiary ration cards. Apart from this, 33 percent reservation for women in ration depots has been introduced, he said adding that this is the first time that the application and selection process for Ration Depots is being conducted through an online portal. The Deputy Chief Minister said that the applications received on the Antyodaya Saral portal by August 7 would be scrutinised and selected at the district level in the month of August. The list of new depot holders would be released on September 1, 2023. The entire process of allotment of ration depots would be carried out in a transparent manner, added Deputy Chief Minister. While giving details about the criteria for the allotment of Ration Depot, he said that applicant should be a resident of the respective ward or village and his/her age should be between 21 and 45 years. Besides, the application must possess a qualification of 12th standard. The basic knowledge of computer is a mandatory requirement. Among those present on the occasion include Mr. Pankaj Agarwal, Commissioner and Secretary, Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Director, Mr. Mukul Kumar, Deputy Director, Ms. Meghna Kanwar and other senior officers
