PDS reforms in Telangana: Ration dealers hit out at KCR's new proposal

The dealers have proposed a “ration bandh” from November 1.
PDS reforms in Telangana: Ration dealers hit out at KCR's new proposal
PDS reforms in Telangana: Ration dealers hit out at KCR's new proposal
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Ration dealers in Telangana are up in arms over Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao’s proposal to bring in direct benefit transfer model in place of ration shops and have threatened to go to court as per a report in The Times of India. 

The dealers have argued that over 40,000 families have been dependent on ration shops for their livelihood for over four decades and this move would affect them adversely. 

A public meeting will be held on October 27 to chalk out a strategy to counter the government’s proposed move against ration dealers and a “ration bandh” is also proposed to be held from November 1.

Nayi Koti Raju, President of the Telangana Ration Shop Dealers Association, told TOI, “If the state government does not withdraw its proposal to replace PDS with DBT, we will intensify our agitation. CM KCR should consider our demands on humanitarian grounds. We are not getting any revenue and are hardly earning Rs 3,000 per month.” 

Association leader Sanjeev Reddy said fair price shop dealers have decided not to sell rice and kerosene through ration shops from November 1, after being made to run around offices of government officials for the last three years. 

Demands of Telangana ration dealers include monthly honorarium of Rs 35,000 in villages, Rs 40,000 in mandal headquarters, Rs 50,000 in municipalities and Rs 60,000 per month in GHMC limits. 

The dealers have also contended that though commission is Rs 70 per quintal, they have not been paid by the state government due to which their arrears have accumulated to nearly Rs 40,000 crore, the report adds. 

The introduction of electronic weighing machines, ePoS equipment and other measures have affected their income while expenses have risen, said ration dealers association secretary Anand Kumar. 

There are 5.2 lakh fair price shops in India out of which 17,000 dealers are in Telangana. 

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