Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution has informed that as per Clause 9 of Targeted Public Distribution (TPDS) [Control] Order, 2015, the designated authority appointed by State Government shall issue the licenses to Fair Price Shop [FPS] owners and State Government shall accord preference to public institutions or public bodies such as panchayats, self help groups, cooperative societies in licensing of FPS and management of FPS by women or their collective.
All States/UTs have been requested to consider issuing FPS licences to citizens/groups belonging to SC/ST community as per the reservation policy of their State so as to enable SC/ST community to utilize this opportunity for their employment.