Ration dealers association slams government

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The All India Ration Dealers Association has criticised the state government's decision to sell ration rice, which the centre supplies to state for Rs 3/kg, at a price of Rs 9.90 per kg.
National general of the association secretary Babichan Mukkadan said that the state government doesn't have the right to sell the ration rice given by the central government after increasing the price. "It is illegal and the central government should seek explanation from the state," he said.

After making the E-PoS machines compulsory in ration shops, 20% ration card owners have stopped buying ration. The civil supplies department has decided to sell the excess rice to the general category at Rs. 9.90 per kg from May 1. The dealers' association has demanded the department to enrol more eligible people in the priority list and provide them rice at subsidised rates. "Around 4 lakh people were weeded out. More genuine people can be added to the list now," said Mukkadan. The association also expressed dissatisfaction with the current monthly wages of Rs 16,000 announced for ration dealers by the government.