The State government should settle PDS subsidy arrears of Rs. 497 crore accumulated in the past three years immediately for effective functioning of cooperative societies, said Krishnamurthy, general secretary, Tamil Nadu Cooperative Workers’ Federation.
Talking to presspersons after taking part in the federation’s State Administrative Council meeting here on Sunday, he said that cooperative societies, which had been reeling under financial crisis, could not even disburse wages to workers in fair price shops.
Several ration shops were under the control of antisocial elements, who threatened the staff often. The government should control them, he insisted.
The medical insurance scheme for cooperative staff was announced in the Assembly but it was not implemented till now. The cooperative housing societies did not hand over land documents to 13,000 members who promptly settled all dues, Mr. Krishnamurthy added.
Even as cattle farmers had been producing 150 lakh litres of milk from 48,000 cattle heads, Aavin had facilities to process only 36 lakh litres. Aavin should add value to milk and expand its market base. It should increase milk procurement and distribute to noon meal children and government hospital, said Mr. Krishnamurthy.
Opening of more sales outlet in public places and in railway stations would expand its market base, he suggested.
The Centre should not accept recommendations of the Santhakumar Committee report on PDS. The Centre tried to offer cash instead of goods to ration cardholders. Such measure would escalate prices of essential commodities in the open market, Mr. Krishnamurthy said.
The Puducherry government tried to implement it and later abandoned it, he said. The Tamil Nadu government was also trying to implement it, alleged CITU general secretary G. Sukumaran.
The federation would convene its State-level conference in Cuddalore on July 25 and 26 to press for various demands of cooperative employees and decide the next phase of its agitation. It would also participate in a nation-wide strike on September 2, said Mr. Krishnamurthy.
