Telangana has been chosen to receive 60 Jan Poshan Kendras (JPK), which will serve the daily needs of the people. These centers are part of a pilot project initiated by the Union government. Selected Fair Price Shops (FPS) in the state are being transformed to offer a variety of essentials and products, such as pulses, dairy products, and millets, beyond the usual subsidized food grains.
Telangana is the only state from the South included in this pilot project, alongside Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and Rajasthan. These kendras will offer a wide range of nutritious food items to consumers. Additionally, they will provide an extra source of income to FPS dealers, as these centers will remain open throughout the month. This allows for better use of the shop space and manpower.
The Jan Poshan Kendras are part of the Central government’s first 100-day program. These centers will store 50% of their products under the nutrition category, with the remaining space used for other household items. The goal is to strengthen the food security system, ensure strict quality control, and combat malnutrition.
Union Minister for Food, Consumer Affairs, and Public Distribution, Pralhad Venkatesh Joshi, launched the pilot project in Delhi on August 20. He emphasized that these kendras will not only provide nutritious food to consumers but also help FPS dealers earn better incomes.
The B2B e-commerce company Udaan has partnered with the Union Ministry and the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) to help transform FPSs into JPKs. According to Udaan, this partnership will enhance the income of FPS dealers and improve the variety of products available at these shops. Through Udaan’s eB2B platform, JPKs will have access to over 3,500 products across various staples and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) categories. SIDBI will also offer credit facilities to help these JPKs purchase food grains and FMCG products.
If the pilot project is successful, the initiative aims to expand and eventually cover about 1.3 lakh JPKs for modernization across the country.
