OF SELECTED ITEMS OF CONSUMER GOODS
The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution had launched a nation-wide scheme named "Sarvpriya" for distribution of selected items of consumer goods to benefit the common people, particularly those of the lower income groups and people living in the rural areas. The scheme, envisaged supply 11 items of daily use which includes Salt, a few varieties of pulses, Edible Oil, Toilet Soap etc. will be supplied through the 4.5 lakhs fair price outlets as also the other retail units of the State Civil Supplies Corporations and cooperatives throughout the country. The scheme has been specially targeted to help an estimated population of 32 crores who are living below the poverty line. The availability of these goods at fixed and reasonable prices on a regular basis will be of immense help to the common people.
2. The National Cooperative Consumers' Federation of India Ltd., (NCCF), which is the apex body of consumer cooperatives in the country, has been nominated as the nodal agency to operate this scheme. The NCCF has vast experience in procurement and distribution of essential consumer goods and has branches, offices all over the country and is in a position to effectively coordinate with various State agencies for handling the distribution of items of consumer goods.
3. Under this scheme, identified essential items will be supplied either to the State Govts. or their authorized agencies by the NCCF for distribution through the fair price shops and other outlets in the concerned States. The NCCF will supply these items in convenient consumer packs at places identified by the State Govts.
4. The former union Minister (CAF & PD) wrote to the Chief Ministers of all the States requesting them to identify the items according to their local needs, for distribution. The success of the Sarvpriya distribution scheme, which is an optional and voluntary scheme, will depend on the cooperation of the State Governments. The Food & Civil Supplies Depts. in different States are to assess the demand pattern, response from the consumers and ensuring availability of selected items of consumer goods through the fair price shops and other nominated outlets.
5. NCCF has made arrangements with the manufacturers of selected commodities for their distribution at reasonable prices. For this purpose, NCCF has also written to the Secretaries, Food & Civil Supplies Depts. in all the States as also to the Food & Civil Supplies Corporations in different States of the country to avail of the services of the NCCF for distribution of selected items. The NCCF is coordinating with the respective State agencies for selection of items and to work out the modalities of distribution arrangement. The scheme however did not make much impact as many States are having their own schemes drawn up for distribution of essential commodities by the State Agencies.
6. The main features and objectives of the scheme is enclosed at Annexure 'A'
