State government launches door delivery of essential commodities in Chennai, nine districts on a pilot basis

State government launches door delivery of essential commodities in Chennai, nine districts on a pilot basis


Essential commodities being delivered at the doorstep in Velachery, Chennai, on Wednesday, July 2.

Essential commodities being delivered at the doorstep in Velachery, Chennai, on Wednesday, July 2.
| Photo Credit: B. JOTHI RAMALINGAM

73-year-old R. Rajeswari, a senior citizen residing in Velachery, was spared a walk to the fair price shop as a truck brought the essential commodities to her street on Wednesday afternoon.

The initiative is part of a pilot project by the State government to provide essential commodities to beneficiaries of the public distribution system (PDS). A total of 10 vehicles attached to as many shops in south Chennai went to the residences of senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PwDs) on Tuesday. A shopkeeper was travelling on each of these trucks with the commodities, a weighing machine and a palm reader.

A.N. Valli, another senior citizen who benefited from the initiative, said she was told that the mobile shop would visit her locality the following day, too. “Even though the shop I normally visit is only two streets away from my residence, this arrangement of door-delivery will be very convenient for me and other senior citizens. I appeal to the government to continue the measure,” Ms. Valli said.

The mobile shops are expected to cover parts of north Chennai on Thursday.

“The idea is to ensure that those aged 70 or above, PwDs, and persons in need get essential commodities at their doorstep,” a top government official said, pointing out that it was the State government’s own initiative. Around 5,000 beneficiaries are likely to be covered during the ongoing drive.

Apart from Chennai, the pilot project covers Cuddalore, Ranipet, Tirunelveli, Erode, Sivaganga, Nagapattinam, Dharmapuri, Dindigul, and the Nilgiris. The coverage will be comprehensive — rural, coastal, hilly, semi-urban, and urban. Launched on Monday, the study is being conducted through the cooperative societies running the fair price shops. It will be completed by Saturday (July 5).

After assessing the pilot project, the government will take a call on further course of action, the official said.

Chief Minister M.K. Stalin will make a formal announcement.

Consumer activist T. Sadagopan said the government could have issued a press release before launching the pilot study. “A few days ago, some officials were seen going from house to house, seeking details of the elderly and PwDs. As many PDS beneficiaries are not aware of the government’s initiative, they are reluctant to respond to calls or speak to unknown persons — a situation that could have been avoided easily,” he added.



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