New Delhi Oct 20 PTI It is in the states interest to ensure citizens get subsidised foodgrains easily the Delhi High Court said as it asked the Delhi government to examine the feasibility of opening fair price shops in localities from where the nearest outlet is 25 km awayHearing a plea by residents of the Rajiv Ratan Awas Yojana Phase-2 Baprola for opening of a fair price shop FPS in the area Justice Najmi Waziri said it is appropriate that an FPS is opened either in the locality itself or in its immediate vicinity so that the poorest of the poor are served well by the stateThe Delhi government told the court that since there are only 320 ration card holders in the area it might not be feasible for an FPS licensee to operate a shop there with a small amount of margin-money of Rs 2 per kilogram of foodgrains as each FPS caters to about 1000 ration card holdersThe court noted that under the guidelines issued by the Delhi government for allotment of FPS outlets in certain special circumstances such as for areas inhabited by poorer sections of the society an FPS can be opened for lesser numbers as wellIn the special facts and circumstances it is appropriate that the Delhi government open an FPS in the aforesaid place or in the immediate vicinity as indicated hereinabove so that the poorest of the poor are served well by the state It is in the interest of the state to ensure that citizens do not have to chart their ways through difficult areas simply to get foodgrains at subsidised prices the judge opined in his order passed on October 12Let the GNCTD look into the matter afresh the judge added as he sought a compliance affidavit by November 30The residents of the locality moved the court earlier this year alleging that they were to be provided a FPS in the vicinity of their residential colony but no such development has taken place in more than two yearsThe counsel for the petitioners said more than 800 families residing in the colony seek an FPS and that a portion of the community centre in the area has already been earmarked for itThe court was informed that the residents seeking the opening of an FPS belonged to the economically weaker section and had to walk through deserted stretches and forest areas to fetch rations from an outlet located approximately 25 km awayThe morsel of food comes at a palpable cost to the safety and security for such residents the plea saidThe matter would be heard next on December 8 PTI ADS IJT