Hyderabad: The Centre has asked states to explore additional business avenues for fair price shops (FPS) to improve their financial sustainability, while making it clear that state govts have the primary responsibility for enhancing ration dealers’ earnings.Replying to questions raised by Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi in the Lok Sabha, Union minister of state for consumer affairs, food and public distribution Nimuben Jayantibhai Bambhaniya said states can strengthen the viability of ration shops by allowing them to provide banking services through tie-ups with banks, offer India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) services, sell 5-kg LPG cylinders and retail other commodities.“The state govt can fix an amount as the fair price shop owner’s margin. It can allow sale of commodities in addition to the foodgrains to improve the financial viability of the fair price shop operations. The central govt has limited role in determining the actual rate of FPS dealers’ margin or commission, etc. It only provides the assistance to states and union territories,” she said.Owaisi asked whether the Centre was considering increasing ration dealers’ margins to ensure a monthly income of at least Rs 50,000 amid concerns over the poor financial condition of FPS operators.The minister said central assistance towards FPS dealers’ margins has been enhanced from April 2026 from Rs 90 to Rs 100 per quintal for general category states and from Rs 180 to Rs 195 per quintal for special category states.
