DISTRIBUTION NETWORK
or
the distribution of essential commodities, the Corporation
in the year 1980-81 set-up 28 wholesale Godowns
at different places in the State. However, with
a view to facilitate the sub-wholesalers and the
fair price shops to procure essential commodities
from nearest possible point, the number of these
wholesale Godowns has now gone upto 108. On an average,
each wholesale godown is feeding about 38 fair price
shops. Generally each godown is manned by two Clerks/Junior
Assistant However, in smaller godowns oneClerk/Junior
Assistant and one Public Distribution Helper have
been posted. At some places, where sub-wholesalers
are not working, system of door delivery
of essential commodities to the fair price shops
has been introduced by the Corporation which has
been appreciated by them as they are saved from
the trouble of collecting the goods from wholesale
Godowns.
Although,
the main function of the Corporation is to act as
a Wholesale agency, yet at places where other institutions
like Co-operatives and Panchayats do not come forward
or are unable to undertake the work of retailers
effectively, the Corporation has been asked to set-up
its retail shops. Each such shop is manned by a
Public Distribution Clerk and / or a Public Distribution
Helper depending upon the volume of Sales. The total
number of fair price shops being run by the Corporation
are 127
Advance
supplies of essential commodities as
per allocation/ demand of the State Govt. are arranged
by the Corporation for a period ranging from
3 to 8 months for far-flung and snow bound areas
such as Pangi, Lahaul & Spiti, Dodra Kawar,
Kinnaur, upper reaches of Shimla & Mandi Districts,
and Bharmour. Marooned areas such as
Sandhol in Mandi District also get advance
supplies for about 4 months during rainy season.