Ration dealers to protest Centre’s cash transfer plan
The AKRRDA said the proposed cash transfer move would weaken Keralam’s public distribution system and affect the food security of ordinary people
Ration dealers will take out a march to the Parliament on December 3 in protest against the Centre’s move to replace subsidised foodgrain distribution through ration shops with direct cash transfers to beneficiaries.
The All Kerala Retail Ration Dealers Association (AKRRDA) announced here on Saturday that they would hold dharnas in front of Central government offices at taluk headquarters and a sit-in outside the AG’s Office at Thiruvananthapuram ahead of the Parliament march.
The association said the proposed cash transfer move would weaken Keralam’s public distribution system and affect the food security of ordinary people. It would also affect the livelihood of ration dealers, workers and other employees linked to the system.
The association demanded a monthly allocation of 13.5 kg of foodgrains per person and 10 kg of foodgrains and other essential commodities for every ration cardholder. It has also sought wages, pensions, insurance and job security for ration dealers.
Other demands include restoring the reduced kerosene and sugar quotas and dropping the proposal to cut the ration allocation for Antyodaya Anna Yojana cardholders. AKRRDA district president V.P. Jayaprakash, general secretary A. Krishnan and State secretary K.M. Abdussathar took part in a press meet held here on Saturday.
The Kerala State Retail Ration Dealers Association will hold its two-day State conference at ARK convention centre, Ezhakkad, Mundur, from Sunday. Minister for the Welfare of SC-ST and Backward Classes K.A. Thulasi will inaugurate a women’s session on Sunday morning.
Minister for Food and Civil Supplies Anoop Jacob will inaugurate a public meeting in the afternoon. Adoor Prakash, MP, will felicitate students who excelled in higher education.
MLAs A. Prabhakaran, Ramesh Pisharody, and Sumesh Achuthan, Kerala Congress (J) State vice-chairman V.D. Joseph and BJP State general secretary Shobha Surendran will attend. V.K. Sreekandan, MP, will inaugurate the delegates’ conference on Monday morning.
- cash
- transfer
- ration
- centre
- plan
- dealer
- akrrda
- keralam
