470 fair price shops receive ISO certification in Salem district, says Tourism Minister

As many as 470 fair price shops in Salem district have received ISO certification, said Tourism Minister R. Rajendran in Salem on Sunday.

Inaugurating a full-time fair price shop at Muyal Nagar in Kondappanaickenpatti that would benefit 2,267 ration cardholders residing in Maruthi Nagar, Muyal Nagar, Gandhi Nagar, Ashok Nagar, Ayyappan Nagar, Telephone Nagar, and Gowri Nagar, he said there were 1,751 fair-price shops in the district – 1,298 full-time shops and 453 part-time shops.

Of these, 1,739 fair price shops were under the Cooperative Department and 12 were operated through women’s self-help groups. Through these shops, 11.11 lakh ration cardholders benefitted. In the last four years, 177 fair price shops were opened in the district – 120 full-time shops and 57 part-time shops.

Stating that 470 fair price shops had received ISO certification in the district, the Minister added all fair price shops in the district received FSSAI certification. Through 99 mobile fair-price shops, 13,742 ration cardholders were benefiting. Through the fair price shops, wheat, semolina, and vermicelli were distributed for the Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme in 1,284 schools. Likewise, under the Chief Minister’s Thayumanavar Scheme, 1.10 lakh ration cardholders received ration items at their doorstep. Salem district had the most beneficiaries under the scheme in the State, the Minister added.