Ration dealers ask Kerala government to clear arrears
TNN | Mar 18, 2019, 11:05 IST
Picture used for representational purpose onlyTHIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The all India ration dealers' congress (AIRDC) has demanded the state government to clear 'the arrears to the tune of around Rs 50 crore' due to ration dealers, and warned an indefinite strike from April 1 if the dues were not cleared immediately.
The dues include Rs 40 crore as three months' wages and Rs 9.5 crore as commission of the provisions distributed free of cost to flood-affected people six months ago, AIRDC office-bearers said. "The government must lift the treasury restrictions and clear the dues. Otherwise, we will go for an indefinite strike from April 1," said AIRDC general secretary Babychan Mukkodan.
"An amount of Rs 40,000-60,000 is due for each ration dealer," he said, adding that the dealers were facing severe financial crisis. "Another major issue the dealers are facing now is the price of kerosene. The government order mandates us to sell kerosene to card-holders at Rs 40 per litre, while we get it at a higher price of Rs 43," he said.
Alleging huge corruption and black marketing by agents at the distribution centres, besides poor quality of grains, and other provisions and anomalies in weighing, the AIRDC leaders said the civil supplies department should take the responsibility in ensuring proper quantity and quality. tnn
The dues include Rs 40 crore as three months' wages and Rs 9.5 crore as commission of the provisions distributed free of cost to flood-affected people six months ago, AIRDC office-bearers said. "The government must lift the treasury restrictions and clear the dues. Otherwise, we will go for an indefinite strike from April 1," said AIRDC general secretary Babychan Mukkodan.
"An amount of Rs 40,000-60,000 is due for each ration dealer," he said, adding that the dealers were facing severe financial crisis. "Another major issue the dealers are facing now is the price of kerosene. The government order mandates us to sell kerosene to card-holders at Rs 40 per litre, while we get it at a higher price of Rs 43," he said.
Alleging huge corruption and black marketing by agents at the distribution centres, besides poor quality of grains, and other provisions and anomalies in weighing, the AIRDC leaders said the civil supplies department should take the responsibility in ensuring proper quantity and quality. tnn
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