Ration dealers' strike total on day one

The indefinite strike by ration dealers was near total on the first day on Sunday when ration-card holders normally queue up at fair price shops for their quota of rice. Almost all fair price shops remained shut and card holders who were unaware of the stir returned disappointed.

Officials said card holders take their quota of rice between 1st and 15th of every month in rural areas and 1st and 20th of every month in Greater Hyderabad and Day 1 of the strike would not have much impact on beneficiaries of subsidized rice.

Though 70-odd shops mostly in tribal areas, where they are run under the aegis of Girijans Welfare Corporation were open, the strike was total as 17,000-odd FP shops remained closed.

Officials said alternate arrangements are being made for distribution of subsidy rice to card holders



with district collectorate officials identifying Indra Kanthi Patham buildings, youth welfare buildings and other points in rural areas where subsidy rice and kerosene could be stored and given to card holders. In urban areas too, storage points are being identified.

The biggest challenge for the state government is now to supply subsidy rice and kerosene to villages and store it in a dry place with onset of rains. FP dealers have kept their shops locked.

The state government, which is firm on a crackdown on ration dealers, is also providing training to people to weigh and give rice and kerosene. 

However, card holders have to wait till July 5 for subsidy rice and kerosene, a date from which the government said it would start alternate arrangements to distribute rice and kerosene from various buildings.