All Nagaland Fair Price Shop Association (ANFPSA) on Friday announced its decision to join the indefinite nationwide “Ration Bandh” starting January 1, 2024 called by the All India Fair Price Shop Dealers’ Federation (AIFPSDF).
In a press release, ANFPSA president Hotoshe Sumi and general secretary G Meijiang affirmed support towards the phase-wise agitation called by AIFPSDF to press the Centre to address the issues raised by the FPS dealers.
It may be mentioned that FPS dealers launched phase-wise agitation earlier this month by wearing black badge as part of phase-I stir from December 1-15 while phase-II stir is underway in the form of submission of memorandum to the Centre from December 16-31.
ANFPSA has informed FPS dealers all over Nagaland to support the stand of federation and not to lift ration from January 2024 till further notice from the AIFPSDF.
Further, the association appealed F&CS department, public and beneficiaries (Ration card holders) in particular to cooperate with the FPS dealers. It expressed regret for the inconveniences that could be caused due to the proposed agitation.
The demands of FPS dealers include continue supply of food grains under the old PMGKAY schemes as before; alternative arrangement should be made by allowing distribution through e-PoS device by inserting Aadhaar Number of the affected Cardholders in cases of emergency; implement the recommendation of “World Food Program “(3rd Party) with a minimum FPS Margin of Rs. 764 per quintal by the Centre; ensure minimum monthly income guarantee of Rs. 50,000 in the form of honorarium to FPS dealers, among others.