Statewide agitation planned by ration vendors against PDS reforms

Ration vendors under the aegis of the All Kerala Retail Ration Dealers Association (AKRRDA) have announced statewide protests and a national march to Parliament against various reforms proposed by the Central Government in the Public Distribution System (PDS). According to a report by The Hindu, the primary opposition of the vendors is against the proposal to implement Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) in the ration sector.

Vendors state that adopting a method of cash transfer directly to bank accounts instead of per capita grain allocation is similar to the reforms made in the case of cooking gas subsidy. The Association has warned that if this method is implemented, beneficiaries might receive financial transfers in the initial stages, but over time the subsidy could be completely eliminated.

In addition, the Association has also strongly opposed the introduction of digital wallets in this sector. According to the allegations of ration vendors, these types of reforms are designed to weaken neighborhood ration stores and turn the public distribution network into a monopoly of corporate supermarkets.

Vendors have urged the Central Government to drop any attempt to reduce the ration quota for Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) cardholders. They are demanding to ensure the allocation of 13.5 kg of food grains per capita as per the guidelines of the World Food Program (WFP). In addition, they are also demanding the restoration of reduced kerosene and sugar quotas, maintaining continuous availability of essential food grains and daily needs for all cardholders, and providing proper wages and job security for ration vendors as well as salesmen.

This agitation will begin on Monday, with protest demonstrations being held against the Central Government offices at taluk headquarters in the state. The next phase of this struggle will proceed with a satyagraha in front of the Accountant General's office in Thiruvananthapuram on 25 November. This entire campaign will conclude with a march to Parliament on 3 December.