DDFPSU seeks govt intervention on FPS issues

Dimapur District Fair Price Shop Dealers Union (DDFPSU) has appealed to the state government for urgent intervention on key issues affecting the functioning of Fair Price Shops (FPS) under National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013.
In a press release issued after its general meeting held on April 25, DDFPSU president Shihovi Shohe and general secretary Hukali Sema said it had deliberated on several challenges faced by FPS dealers and adopted resolutions seeking redressal from the Department of Food & Civil Supplies.
While acknowledging the department’s initiative to integrate weighing scales with ePoS machines to enhance transparency, the union highlighted practical difficulties at the ground level.
It stated that FPS dealers incur transit and handling losses of around 1 kg per 50 kg bag during transportation of food grains from depots to outlets. In the absence of compensation, such losses result in stock discrepancies under the ePoS system, often leading to penalisation of dealers.
The union has therefore sought provision of at least 1 kg compensation per 50 kg bag prior to implementation of the integration.
DDFPSU also urged the government to install calibrated weighing scales at all stockist godowns, pointing out that stocks were issued without verified net weight, forcing dealers to bear shortages beyond their control. It stressed that accurate weighing at depots was essential to ensure fairness and prevent discrepancies in the Public Distribution System.
Further, the union raised concern over allocation of General Household (GHH) beneficiaries to selective FPS outlets, stating that such practices caused inconvenience and disrupted service delivery.
It requested that beneficiaries be retained at their original FPS outlets for better accessibility and continuity.
Reaffirming support for NFSA objectives, the union emphasised the need for practical implementation, safeguards against losses, and clear operational guidelines.
The union also called for regular consultations between the department and FPS dealers to improve efficiency and address grievances.
The union said the issues impacted both FPS sustainability and the credibility of the Public Distribution System, and appealed for immediate action from the government.