Nationwide stir:  Fair price shop owners on strike from Jan 2, seek hike in commission

“We are forced to observe a nationwide indefinite ration strike from January 2, 2024 due to non-fulfilment of our long-standing demands and imposing the burden on state governments,” the association further wrote.

Across the country, there are almost 5.5 lakh fair price shops and in West Bengal the number is around 20,000. The association of fair price shops claimed that during the strike, at least 4.5 lakh ration shops will be shut in the country.

National General Secretary All India Fair Price Shop Dealers Association Biswambhar Basu said the Centre needs to consider increasing the commission given to fair price shop owners to ensure a “minimum monthly income of Rs 50,000” for them.

Biswas also urged the Centre to implement the recommendations of the World Food Programme “without delegating the responsibility of the Central Government to State Governments and Union Territories”. “We have been seeking a grant for meeting handling losses for long…Despite the steps (taken by the state government), it is found that every month, there remains a clear difference in the opening and closing balances shown by the e-PoS and the portal managed by the state government. We have brought this to the notice of the government on several occasions,” he said.

Talking to The Indian Express on Saturday, Biswas said, “We have contacted the state and central governments many times to request an increase in our commission. Many states like Delhi, Kerala, Maharashtra, Goa, Jharkhand and Haryana already increased our commission up to Rs 230, but in West Bengal it remained Rs 95. So, until the government hikes our commission, we will not be able to serve the customers.”