Ration distribution will not be disrupted; indefinite strike ends

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The indefinite shop closure strike launched by ration traders' organizations demanding wage revision ended in the eighth hour. The organizations, which took a firm stand that they were not ready for any compromise without an announcement on wage revision, changed their stance in a meeting called by the Food Minister and the Finance Minister.

The Ration Dealers Coordination Committee decided to end the strike on the assurance of Food Minister GR Anil that a decision would be taken in this regard in March. The government's not immediately giving in to the demands put forward by the organizations followed by the organizations ending the strike is a victory for the government. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had instructed the Food Minister not to allow a situation in which ration distribution would be disrupted.

The ration traders started the strike by holding protest demonstrations and dharnas in all districts in the morning. The traders marched to the secretariat and taluk centres. Only 256 ration shops under cooperative institutions and those operating with temporary licensees were open. More shops opened when the strike was settled by 4 pm. 380 shops stayed opened till 8pm.

Government's Tactics

• Minister instructs officials to take legal action against the strike
• Officials prepared a plan to take over closed ration shops.
• Decision to start mobile ration shops in all taluks

Compromise decisions

• Discussion in March on the report of the three-member committee appointed by the government regarding the salary package reform.
• Each month's commission can be paid by the 10th and 15th of the next month
• December's commission will be credited to the traders' accounts on Tuesday