As the central government considers to extend the nationwide lockdown to contain the spread of COVID-19, it is also said to be planning to set up a chain of 20 lakh retail stores called ‘Suraksha Stores’ across India which will provide daily essentials to the citizens while maintaining stringent safety norms, reports Economic Times.

Under the initiative, the government plans to convert the neighbourhood Kirana stores into sanitised retail outlets which will be run by ensuring the tenets of social distancing and sanitisation. this would help contain the spread of COVID-19 while also maintaining the supply of essentials to the masses. The stores would offer groceries, consumer durables and apparel and salons to the public.

For a robust implementation of the massive plan, the Consumer Affairs Secretary Pawan Kumar Agarwal has held at least one round of meetings with leading FMCG giants of the nation through a public-private partnership.

"The government is planning to create Suraksha Store and Suraksha Circle to ensure hygiene and safety norms across the supply chain. More than 50 top FMCG companies have been approached. We are with the government and we have already given our approval to actively participate in this exercise," said an official, who wished not to be identified.

The government's intention is said to be to establish all the 20 lakh stores within a span of 45 days. It should be noted that Agarwal has also confirmed the government's work in this direction. Although no details about the implementation of the initiative are out as of now.