Minister inaugurates cooperative supermarket and pharmacy in Erode

Minister S. Muthusamy inaugurates a cooperative supermarket and pharmacy in Erode, offering discounts on medicines and groceries.

Minister for Housing, Prohibition and Excise S. Muthusamy, inaugurated the Chinthamani Cooperative Society supermarket and pharmacy at the Central Bus Terminal premises in Erode on Wednesday (February 11, 2026) in the presence of the District Collector S. Kandasamy.

The Erode District Consumers’ Cooperative Wholesale Stores, established in 1964 and functioning under the State Cooperative Department, operates self-service sections, cooperative medical shops, Chief Minister’s pharmacies and their godown, petrol and diesel retail outlets, Uzhavar Sandhai, vegetable sections and Farm Fresh consumer outlets across the district.

Functioning as the lead society, the wholesale store distributes Public Distribution Scheme (PDS) commodities to 372 fair price shops in Erode, Kodumudi and Modakkurichi taluks. It also runs 25 fair price shops in the city. Under the brand name “Ponnamudham,” it mills and supplies wheat and ragi flour at subsidised rates to other cooperative institutions in the State. The store recorded a turnover of ₹70 crore in 2024–25 financial year.

The Minister inaugurated new sections in the newly constructed commercial complex on the premises. Officials said that a discount of up to 20% would be offered on medicines at all cooperative pharmacies run by the wholesale store, while footwear would be sold with a special discount of up to 10%. Products in the self-service section would be priced lower than prevailing market rates.