The All Kerala Retail Ration Dealers' Association (AKRRDA) has urged the State government to address various problems being faced by ration dealers in the State.
Speaking to presspersons here on Friday, AKRRDA working president Joykkutty alleged that the government had neglected the losses incurred by dealers while implementing various ration schemes in the State.
“While the government has implemented the distribution of rice for BPL card holders at a rate of Rs.2 a kg, dealers have been receiving a commission of just 25 paise a kg. The authorities should realise the rise in cost of living and provide a subsidy of Rs.100 a quintal to dealers without hiking the cost of rice any further,” he said.
He said the government should take steps to ensure that sufficient amount of food products and kerosene was distributed to ration shops prior to publicising various packages for card holders.
He said the government had not reimbursed the commission of dealers on account of articles distributed under the Andhyodaya scheme and free ration. “Measures should be taken to address such issues within March 2011 in addition to providing relief packages for ration shop workers,” he said.
As part of the agitation, ration shops would be shut down on December 21 and marches would be conducted to district collectorates.
