The ration distribution network in the district will soon come to a standstill with the traders refusing to restock for the month of March. Apart from a handful of shops with buffer stock, all others have stopped dealings for the last couple of days, moving towards a complete distribution freeze. The move is in connection with the non-cooperation strike called by the joint protest council of ration dealers attached to the Kerala State Retail Ration Dealers Association council alleged (KSRRDA) and the All Kerala Retail Ration Dealers Association (AKRRDA).
Shortage alleged
The council has alleged massive corruption in the doorstep delivery system started in the district from March 2017 following the implementation of National Food Security Act. “Supplyco, the nodal agency for distributing the food grains to the dealers, doesn’t have any system to weigh and ensure the quantity of food grains handed over to the dealers. We find a shortage of minimum 2 kg in each sack weighing 50 kg. The instruction of the Civil Supplies Department, that sacks be weighed before delivery and a receipt be issued is not followed. There is a nexus between Supplyco, loading workers and contractors,” said K. Pramod, council chairman.
After the instalment of electronic Point of Sale (e-PoS) machines in the shops to ensure fixed quantity and rate, the shortage in quantity has affected both the traders and beneficiaries. “Because of the discrepancy, the traders have to buy food grains from market to make sure the card-holders get their share. Earlier we could have explained this to card-holders, but with the setting up of e-PoS machines we have to record the correct measurement.”
The restocking, which is usually carried out by the fifth day of every month, is yet to happen in Kollam. “This issue been going on for a year and we have lodged many complaints with the Minister and the District Collector. We petitioned the Vigilance too and a raid revealed several loads of illegal storage. No action has been taken yet,” he said.
