In a significant decision aimed at protecting food security for millions of beneficiaries, the Odisha Cabinet has approved an amendment extending the tenure of private dealers operating Fair Price Shops (FPS) under the Public Distribution System (PDS) until September 30, 2026.
The move comes as a pragmatic step to avoid any sudden disruption in the supply of subsidised food grains.
According to the Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Department, evicting all private dealers simultaneously would have created major administrative challenges and risked interrupting the smooth functioning of the PDS.
The National Food Security Act, 2013 has been in effect in Odisha since November 2015. The Odisha Public Distribution System (Control) Order, 2016 governs the system, with all procedures aligned to ensure better management and transparency.
Odisha currently operates 12,349 Fair Price Shops across the state. These are managed as follows:
- 5,472 by Private Dealers
- 4,056 by Gram Panchayats
- 2,348 by Women Self Help Groups
- 179 by Self Help Groups
- 275 by Cooperatives
- 19 by other organizations
The earlier amendment to Clause 4(6) of the OPDS (Control) Order, 2016, which facilitated the gradual replacement of private dealers with institutional ones, was valid only until March 31, 2026.
Recognising the practical difficulties, the government has now revised the clause. The process of transitioning to institutional dealers has been extended to September 30, 2026, with Cabinet approval.
