BANKING TRADE AND COMMERCE

CONTROLS AND FAIR PRICE SHOPS

The history of controls and rationing dates back to 1942. Consequent upon the general shortage of consumers' goods caused by World War II, the Government of India adopted a policy of rationing, and as such rice, wheat, jowar, bajri, sugar, kerosene, cloth, etc. were distributed through ration shops. Trade in these commodities in the open market and their movement were controlled and prohibited. The " compulsory levy system " was adopted, and accordingly certain quotas of grains were levied on the farmers. Rigidity continued to prevail in this respect till the first step towards decontrol was taken in 1948. The reasons generally advocated for the continuation of controls were that (i) rationing helps to maintain prices at a level which is fair both to the producer and consumer; (ii) it reduces hoarding by the middleman, and (iii) it reduces the hardships of the poor and allows for a balance of foodgrain supplies in the deficit areas.

The situation in regard to supplies of consumer goods improved to some extent after 1950. This prompted the Government to relax the extent of controls since 1950 which finally resulted in the complete decontrol in 1954. On account of the worsening food situation since 1956, limited controls in the shape of creating food zones, sale through fair price shops and restrictions on the movement of foodstuffs have been revived in this State.

Fair Price Shops.

The State Government introduced this scheme to distribute food-grains at reasonable prices and to put a halt to the rising prices which imposed a heavy burden on the lower and middle classes. There were 273 fair price shops in September, 1960 in Satara district. Of them 45 are owned by village panchayats, 62 by co-operative societies and 176 by private shopkeepers. The quantity and value of foodgrains supplied to the fair price shops during 1959-60 was as under:—

This value at ex-godown rate is recovered from the fair price shop-keeper who is allowed to gain profit at 40 nP. per B. Md.

Rice is distributed at the monthly rate of three seers for an adult, and one and a half seer for a child. Wheat and sugar are made available in ample quantity. The customers are, however, required to maintain a card.

Co-operative societies and village panchayats are given preference over private shopkeepers for opening shops. Government regulations require the fair price shopkeeper to maintain (i) a stock register, (ii) a visit book, (iii) a complaint book, and (iv) daily sale registers. He is also required to execute an agreement and to deposit with the Government a sum of Rs. 150. The issue of cash memo in respect of each sale is made compulsory. The fair price shops are supervised by the District Supply Inspectors.

TOP