State fair price shops to join nationwide ‘ration bandh’

All Nagaland Fair Price Shop Association (ANFPSA) has affirmed support to the All India Fair Price Shop Dealers’ Federation (AIFPSDF)’s decision to launch “ration bandh” and “PoS bandh” from February 7-9, 2023 followed by “Parliament march” on March 22, 2023 for pressing its 11-point demand.
In a press release, ANFPSA president Hotoshe Sumi and general secretary G Meijiang informed that the federation had placed 11-point charter of demands, some of which include continue supply of foodgrains under old PMGKAY schemes; ensure minimum monthly income guarantee of Rs. 50,000 in the form of honorarium to FPS dealers; grand 1kg per quintal as handling/transit loss on rice, wheat & sugar and ensure that due margins be reimbursed for all states/union territory. ANFPSA said the federation was hoping that the Union Budget 2023-2024 could bring some good news and relief for the PDS and the consumers. The federation was particularly expecting that supply of additional foodgrains under PMGKAY would be restored, but that did not happen.
In the light of the above, the federation has decided to go ahead with the protest programme from February 7-9, 2023 followed by “Parliament March” on March 22, 2023 in Delhi. Meanwhile, the association has assured that there would be no disruption in supply and affirmed its commitment to guarantee distribution on all other days of the month. The association expressed hope that beneficiaries/cardholder would extend moral support.