NEW DELHI: Soon ration shops or fair price shops (FPS) will have the option to work as a Common Service Centre, which can be used by beneficiaries for paying utility bills, collecting PAN and passport applications and Election Commission services. The food ministry and CSC e-Governance Services India (CSC) signed an agreement for this on Monday.
The food ministry said this will help increase the income of ration dealers and the beneficiaries of highly subsidised foodgrains will get these services close to their homes.
The CSC will now identify feasible activities that can be provided at the ration shops so that these can work as CSC Service Centres. The CSC will tie up with state governments for signing bilateral MoUs for providing interested ration shop dealers access to Digital Seva Portal (DSP) for delivery of CSC services.
“All states have been advised to explore the possibility of increasing income and business opportunities of FPS by way of allowing them delivery of CSC services after due diligence,” the food ministry said.
Moreover, ration card services provided by states and UTs such as application for new cards, updating existing ration card, Aadhaar seeding request, status check of ration availability and grievance registration can be explored by states through CSCs as an additional option.
“This is at the discretion of the state government who will ensure due diligence regarding data safety, adherence to statutory provision and other relevant guidelines,” the ministry said.