K-Stores to accept passport applications

Kerala’s ration shops are set to become one-stop service centres for a range of citizen needs, including passport applications, Food and Civil Supplies Minister G.R. Anil has said.

Inaugurating a new K-Store at Manchadimoodu, near Chirayinkeezhu, on Sunday, Mr. Anil announced that residents in rural areas could presently submit passport applications through K-Stores. The facility, which would soon be expanded across more centres, would eliminate the need to travel to urban centres to submit the applications.

Services typically offered by Akshaya centres and common service centres (CSCs) would also be made available at these upgraded ration shops, making essential government and utility services more accessible to the public, he added.

At present, over 2,300 ration shops across the State have already been transformed into K-Stores. The government aims at expanding this network to include all 14,000-odd ration shops in the State in the near future.

Mr. Anil pointed out that the initiative would help bridge the digital divide, especially in areas where modern infrastructure was limited.

The services provided at K-Stores include updating Aadhaar details, pension processing, insurance schemes, ticket booking and basic banking transactions of up to ₹10,000. Moreover, products like the 5-kg ‘Chhotu’ LPG gas cylinder and Milma dairy items are also available through the K-Store outlets.

The Minister pointed out that the transformation of ration shops into K-Stores would enhance the effectiveness of the State’s public distribution system and introduce value-added services in even the most remote areas. He added that in villages without access to banking facilities, K-Stores could play a crucial role in meeting the financial needs of the people.