THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Ration shops are being replaced by Kerala's own shopping centers. The government-owned Smart Shopping Centre is a combination of Supplyco outlets, ration shops, Milma booths, e-services and mini ATMs. Six services are available. The smart ration shop, which was planned earlier, is coming up in a more extensive manner. Name: Kerala Store (K-Store). Preliminary work will begin next month by the Department of Civil Supplies.
At present there are ration shops with an area of 50 to 200 square feet. It will be made into Kerala stores by incressing the size to 350 to 500 square feet and will be In the second phase, Kerala stores will be upgraded to shopping centrs above1000 square feet. In the first phase, a thousand stores will be opened. Priority will be given to ration shop licensed in rural areas. The government will provide low interest loans. Merchants also get insurance coverage.