GETTING A  FAIR PRICE SHOP LICENSE  

The order of preference of allotment of Fair Price Shop shall be as under:-

1. First Priority: Public Institutions or public bodies such as Panchayats, self help groups, co-operatives, in licensing of fair price shops and management of fair price shops by women or their collectives.
2. Second Priority: Ekal Naris (as defined by the Department of Women and Child Development, Govt. of H.P.), widows raising children on their own,  physically handicapped persons (as defined in the Person with Disabilities ( Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995) capable of efficiently handing the FPS operations, Ex-serviceman/unemployed educated person with no family member in regular employment. 
3. Third Priority: H.P.State Civil Supplies Corporation Ltd.
There will be no change in other provisions/guidelines notified vide Notification No. FDS-F(10)-06/2012 dated 02-08-2014.

Contact Office:

The District Controller, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs of the district/Area Inspector (FCS&CA)  where the FPS is proposed to be opened.

Where can the FPS be opened ?

A Fair Price Shop (FPS) is generally to be opened for a population of 1,500 or above, and in tribal, remote and inaccessible/ sub-cadre areas as defined by the Govt. of Himachal Pradesh, these norms can be relaxed up to a population of 1,000 or 150 ration cards, whichever is less, but the population of existing FPS should not come down below the prescribed limit. The norms should also be such that no consumer shall generally have to travel a distance of more than 3 kilometres to the nearest FPS. The distance will be certified by the Public Distribution Committee (PDC), headed by the Deputy Commissioner of the district concerned. The PDC shall forward only such cases to the Director, Food Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, H.P., Shimla for relaxation from the Government of H.P. that have population coverage of less than 1,500 or 1,000 as the case may be. More than one fair price shop may be opened in any place without distance clause if the existing as well as proposed FPS shall both have population coverage of 1,500 or above, or 1,000 and above, as the case may be.

Procedure to be followed:
...Write an application on a prescribed form to the District Controller, Food & Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Controller of the district where the FPS is proposed to be opened.
...Attach a copy of Resolution passed by the Panchayat of the area in question, recommending the opening of the FPS at the designated place.
...Attach proof of Bank Limit, Storage capacity for storing of food grains and kerosene oil alongwith the and financial position of the applicant/institution.
...The DC,FCS&CA will put the case to the Public Distribution Committee (PDC), headed by the Deputy Commissioner of the District. The PDC will decide whether the FPS is required or not and accordingly the applicant shall be informed.
...In case the PDC sanctions the opening of the FPS, the applicant shall deposit the security amount and License fee to DC,FCS&CA and make arrangements for lifting of foodgrains etc from the listed godowns.