VIJAYAWADA: Civil supplies minister Prathipati Pulla Rao said that his department will soon establish village malls in mandal and cities and based on the public’s response, the initiative would be expanded across the State. On Monday, Rao conducted surprise checks at ration depot No. 226 in Karl Marx Road and depot No. 288 at Krishna Lanka. Observing that many beneficiaries were unable to take ration due to mismatch of fingerprints, he directed officials to take necessary measures to provide ration to beneficiaries whose iris and fingerprints could not be recognised.
The department also issued offer letters to leading food supply chains like Big Bazaar, Reliance Mart and eight other companies seeking their opinion for establishing ‘Village Malls’.
Disclosing the benefits of village malls, Pulla Rao said that consumers can purchase grocery 20 per cent less than the open market price and will be benefited by 60 per cent.
Dealers can earn up to 40 per cent more income by maintaining village malls.
Minister inspects hotels, eateries near IGC
The civil supplies minister conducted surprise checks at various restaurants near InterimGovernment Complex here on Monday and penalised V- Square restaurant in Velagapudi for charging `30 for a carbonated beverage worth of `12.
Pulla Rao said that the government will not allow business units to hike Maximum Retail Price (MRP) in the name of selected channel sale. The officials were directed to come up with a policy on the lines of Kerala to levy penalties ranging from `5,000 to `25,000 on business units making profits by tampering MRP.
He warned that the government will cancel trade and other licenses if traders continue to sell products at price higher than the MRP.
Rao called upon people to lodge a complaint regarding MRP violation in the malls and shops by dialling 1100. He added that the Government would initiate stern action against dealers if they cheat the public by supplying spurious seeds and products.