MALAPPURAM: The K-Store (Kerala Store) scheme announced to make ration shops smart so that they can buy daily necessities including cooking gas, is mired in limbo amid the government's financial crisis. The ration shop owners who have prepared new rental rooms and additional facilities for the K-store have been suffering huge losses for months. Ration shop owners say that the explanation given by the food department is that it is delayed due to the financial crisis and the government has no idea when the project can be implemented.

The plan, which was decided to be implemented in the 100-day plans of the first anniversary of the government, is still on paper. The Food Department informed that five K-stores each will be opened in all 14 districts. For this, the list of 70 ration shops was handed over to the department by the District Supply Officers. More than 800 ration shop owners volunteered to start K-Store. It was announced that the first K-store would open on May 20, but it was postponed to June with the Thrikkakara by-election. On December 5, the Chief Minister announced in the Legislative Assembly that all ration shops would be converted into K-stores, but no further action was taken. Kadampuzha Moosa, state working president of Retail Ration Dealers Association, demanded an immediate decision on K-Store.

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Apart from the ration, the government had promised sale of 13 subsidized goods available at Maveli store, Milma booth, IOC's five kg Chotu gas, mini banking up to Rs 5,000, and common service centers. The government had also guaranteed Rs.2 lakhs at 7% interest for additional facilities.

An agreement has been reached with Milma and IOC for the supply of Chotu gas. A government decision is awaited regarding other services including Mini Banking and Common Service Center. - Civil Supplies Department officials