Centre to provide affordable commodities to strife-hit Manipur through Kendriya Police Kalyan Bhandar outlets: Amit Shah
- In Reports
- 12:04 PM, Sep 17, 2024
- Myind Staff
Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced on Monday that the Central government will begin providing essential commodities at affordable prices to the common people of conflict-affected Manipur. This will be done through Kendriya Police Kalyan Bhandar (KPKB) outlets starting Tuesday, September 17, 2024.
“In line with PM Shri @narendramodi Ji's commitment, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is launching an initiative to provide commodities to the people of Manipur at reasonable prices. Now the Kendriya Police Kalyan Bhandars will be open for common people from September 17, 2024,” Shah shared in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
To ensure broad access, 16 new KPKB outlets will be opened across Manipur, in addition to the 21 existing outlets already operating in the state. Shah specified that eight of the new centres will be set up in the Imphal Valley, while the remaining eight will be established in the hill districts. This move is intended to ensure that people in both urban and rural areas of the state benefit from the initiative.
Kendriya Police Kalyan Bhandar, a welfare initiative of the Ministry of Home Affairs, was originally launched in 2006 to cater to the needs of personnel and families of the Central Armed Police Forces, Central Police Organisations, and state police forces. These outlets offer a wide range of consumer goods at rates cheaper than those available in the open market. Currently, there are 119 master bhandars, functioning as warehouses, and more than 1,800 subsidiary bhandars serving as retail outlets across India.
The initiative benefits around 35 lakh individuals, providing essential goods at discounted rates. The Central Purchase Committee of KPKB negotiates with suppliers to secure maximum discounts and consumer promotional offers, helping beneficiaries save on their purchases. The extension of KPKB services to the general public in Manipur is aimed at alleviating the difficulties faced by the strife-hit population, ensuring easier access to affordable daily necessities.
Image source: HT
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