In a major step towards self-reliance of the women in the state, Uttar Pradesh Government has decided to allocate outlets under Public Distribution System to women self-help groups. These are the outlets which are lying unattended in state. The move will expedite the food distribution to the needy hit by the pandemic.<br />''<br />''The State Government has decided to give women self-help groups priority during reallocation of PDS shops in rural and urban areas. Currently, there are more than 2,000 PDS shops ready for reallocation in the state whose licences have been cancelled earlier due to different reasons.<br />''<br />''Rural Development Ministry has been asked to provide the details of those self-help groups who are functioning effectively and are able to run the PDS outlets.<br />''<br />''A letter in this regard has been sent to the concerned officials to complete the reallocation process as early as possible. During reallocation, first priority will be given to the self-help groups among others and if there happens to be more than one applicant for an outlet then the group with the highest number of active members will be given the preference. Government will also help these self help groups in running the shops properly.<br />