Kerala ration dealers to protest against Centre's cash transfer scheme

Ration dealers in Kerala have decided to protest against the Central Government's plan to distribute subsidized grains through direct cash transfers to beneficiaries' accounts instead of through ration shops. According to a report by The Hindu, a massive march towards Parliament will be led by the All Kerala Retail Ration Dealers Association (AKRRDA) on December 3.

The association announced this agitation during a press conference held in Palakkad on Saturday. Prior to the march to Parliament, dharnas will be held before Central Government offices at taluk headquarters, and a sit-in protest will be organized outside the AG office in Thiruvananthapuram. District President V.P. Jayaprakash, General Secretary A. Krishnan, and State Secretary K.M. Abdussathar were present at the press meet.

The association believes that the Central Government's cash transfer proposal will weaken Kerala's Public Distribution System (PDS), which will adversely affect the food security of the general public. Additionally, it will pose a risk to the livelihoods of ration dealers, workers, and other employees associated with this system.

As part of this protest, the association has made several key demands. They have demanded the allocation of 13.5 kg of grain per person per month and 10 kg of grain along with other essential commodities for every ration cardholder. Along with this, demands for fair wages, pensions, insurance, and job security for ration dealers have been made.

Furthermore, they have demanded the restoration of the reduced quotas of kerosene and sugar, and the withdrawal of the proposal to reduce ration allocations for Antyodaya Anna Yojana cardholders.

On the other hand, a two-day state conference has been organized by the Kerala State Retail Ration Dealers Association starting Sunday at the ARK Convention Centre in Azhikode, Mundur. On Sunday morning, Minister for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Backward Classes Welfare K.A. Tulsi will inaugurate the women's session. In the afternoon, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Anup Jacob will inaugurate a public meeting, where MP Adur Prakash will honor students who have excelled in higher education.

MLAs A. Prabhakaran, Ramesh Pisharody, and Sumesh Achuthan, as well as Kerala Congress (J) State Vice President V.D. Joseph and BJP State General Secretary Sobha Surendran, will attend the event. On Monday morning, the delegates' conference will be inaugurated by MP V.K. Sreekandan.