Ration dealers to hold statewide protests against central PDS reforms
The All Kerala Retail Ration Dealers Association plans a national march to Parliament to protest proposed changes to the public distribution system.
Ration dealers under the All Kerala Retail Ration Dealers Association (AKRRDA) have announced statewide demonstrations and a national march to Parliament. According to The Hindu, the protests are against various reforms proposed by the Centre in the public distribution system (PDS).
The association's primary demand is the immediate withdrawal of the proposal to implement Direct Benefit Transfer in the ration sector. The dealers warned that shifting from per-capita grain allocation to cash transfers into bank accounts would replicate reforms made for cooking gas subsidies.
AKRRDA members cautioned that while beneficiaries might receive financial transfers initially, subsidies could eventually be phased out entirely. The association also expressed opposition to the introduction of digital wallets, alleging these reforms aim to weaken neighbourhood ration shops and divert the network to corporate supermarket monopolies.
Protesters urged the Centre to abandon moves to reduce the ration quota for Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) cardholders. They demanded a guaranteed per-capita food grain allocation of 13.5 kg following World Food Programme (WFP) guidelines.
Other demands include the restoration of curtailed kerosene and sugar quotas, steady availability of essential food grains, and job security for dealers and salesmen. The agitation begins on Monday with protests at taluk headquarters in Kerala.
The campaign will include a satyagraha in front of the Accountant General’s Office in Thiruvananthapuram on November 25. It is scheduled to culminate with a Parliament march on December 3.