Bengaluru: Large and Medium Industries Minister MB Patil said that the government-owned MSIL is planning to start a supermarket on the model of police and army canteens with the aim of providing every item needed for daily life to the state government employees at a discounted price.
In this regard, he held a preliminary round of meetings with Industries Department Principal Secretary Selvakumar, MSIL Managing Director Manoj Kumar and other senior officials at Khanija Bhavan.
Later, he informed that such a canteen facility is available for employees of the state's police and paramilitary forces. There are 6 lakh government employees in the state. Our idea is to start such an initiative in the interest of their families. We will discuss with the Finance Department how to get subsidy or tax exemption for this. Overall, he said, MSIL has been asked to submit a detailed report to him within a month on the feasibility of starting such a supermarket.
It would be good if the proposed MSIL supermarket would provide every item from daily necessities to FMCG products required for the daily life of our government employees at a discounted price. The idea is to open 4-5 stores in Bengaluru in the first phase. Later, such a facility can be expanded in district centers as well. He said that a decision will be taken after the overall study report comes.
This will also expand the activities of the government-owned MSIL and provide a source of income. It will also benefit the families of lakhs of government employees. In this regard, he also suggested holding talks with the state government employees' organizations.
MSIL's activities are currently limited. His idea is to make it more efficient and financially stronger. He expressed confidence that this will create a huge number of direct and indirect jobs.
Minister's Technical Advisor Arvind Galgali, MSIL Director Chandrappa and other senior officials were present in the meeting.