VIJAYAWADA: As many as 29,000 fair price shops across the State would be upgraded into Anna Village Malls in a phased manner. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has taken a decision to this effect at a review meeting at the State Secretariat on Friday.In the first phase, 6,500 fair-price shops would be upgraded into Anna Village Malls. These malls are being set up in collaboration with Reliance and Future Group.
Naidu wanted Anna Village Malls to be very attractive and wanted a special logo designed for them.
Each village mall would be set up in an area of 200 sq ft. The State would bear 25 per cent of the cost while the dealer would furnish 25 per cent of investment in the form of Mudra loan. These malls would sell products of DWCRA, MEPMA and agricultural products of GCC, which the State government procures from farmers.
There would be desi foods too like Bandar Laddu, Kakinada Kaja and Telugu chutneys. The government would allow anyone to sell his products in the Anna Village Mall. White ration cardholders, who have given up their right for rice, would be allowed to purchase food products at Anna Village Malls for the value of the rice they forego.Naidu asked the officials to appoint dealers for 4,599 fair-price shops which had been without dealers for quite some time now.