Rs 22,500 minimum wage suggested for ration storekeepers; price of rice for blue cards may go up

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The government committee that studied the wage reform of ration traders has recommended that the commission of ration traders be increased by increasing the price of ration. A trader selling at least 45 quintals should be paid Rs 22,500 as a monthly wage. It is currently Rs 18,000. The current Rs 150 paid for each quintal sold after 45 should be increased to Rs 200.

There is also a proposal to pay Rs 6800 for shops selling up to 15 quintals, Rs 9000 for 15.1 – 45 quintals, and each quintal for Rs 300. The additional amount required for this can be found by increasing the price of rice provided to blue ration card holders from Rs 4 to Rs 6 per kg.

The report of the committee comprising the Controller of Rationing, Vigilance Officer and Law Officer of the Food Distribution Department has also said that the number of ration shops in the state should be adjusted from 13,872 to 10,000. Out of the Rs 8.90 paid by traders for one kilo of rice on the white card, 60 paise is received as additional money by the state government. This fund should go to the Traders Welfare Fund. A decision should be taken at the government level to waive the Panchayat license for shops. If a provision is made that salesmen in shops catering to SC and ST categories should also belong to the same category, benami frauds can be prevented. Shops selling less than 15 quintals should be examined to see whether they should be maintained. Other shops operated by a licensee should be merged into one shop. The unscientific criteria for granting new shops should be changed.

Other recommendations

Commission based on the quantity of food grains distributed in each shop.

The commission for the sale of sugar should be Rs. 1.50 per kg and for kerosene Rs. 5.

Kerosene should be delivered and distributed from the shops. Nearby shops should be avoided.