Andhra Pradesh launches ‘Mee Mart’ to modernise public distribution system
Andhra Pradesh has launched its ambitious ‘Mee Mart’ initiative to modernise the public distribution system and provide quality consumer goods at prices lower than those
Andhra Pradesh has launched its ambitious ‘Mee Mart’ initiative to modernise the public distribution system and provide quality consumer goods at prices lower than those in the open market. The first of the proposed 1,000 Mee Marts across the State was inaugurated by Food and Civil Supplies Minister Nadendla Manohar at Lalupuram, on the outskirts of Guntur city, on Monday.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said the initiative was designed to benefit both consumers and nearly 30,000 fair price shop dealers by creating an additional source of income while ensuring affordable access to quality household essentials. Unlike conventional ration shops, Mee Marts will stock more than 250 daily-use products, to be sold at ₹3 to ₹5 below prevailing market prices without compromising on quality.
The project is being implemented by the State Civil Supplies Department in partnership with the Cooperative Consumers Federation of India Ltd.. Of the proposed 1,000 Mee Marts, 553 are ready for launch, with nine outlets inaugurated on Monday. Manohar said the government also planned to integrate the outlets with the Central Bank Digital Currency (Digital Rupee) platform, enabling beneficiaries to use digital subsidies to purchase essential commodities.
He added that fair price shops would be modernised and kept open throughout the month, transforming them into community retail centres that offer greater convenience, transparency and economic security for both consumers and dealers.
The BriefWire