MUMBAI: Food and civil supplies minister
Girish Bapat has threatened to take action against
fair price shop owners who continue to strike despite the government's notice to end it and hold discussions.
Bapat said that there were 52000 fair price shops across the state that forms a robust network of the
public distribution system (PDS) and distributes subsidised foodgrains.
Of these, nearly 4300 remained shut on Monday and Tuesday. The district-level administration has begun talks with the striking owners and nearly 1300 shops in Raigad district have withdrawn strike.
"We have not taken action against anyone so far, but will not think twice before cracking the whip if these shop owners do not roll back their strike," said Bapat.
He also said that there are many demands of these owners that the government has already agreed too. They had demanded that they be allowed to sell some other items in these stores to increase their profits, which the government has permitted.
However, the unions have made a demand that since these shops help roll out government policies, they should be given the status of government employee.
"They have demanded a salary of Rs 50,000 a month. This is not possible for us to agree to," said Bapat. He also said that the government will hold meetings with all the unions regarding their demands and issues.
