Wage revision for ration traders; no ration shop will be closed, says Food and Civil Supplies Minister GR Anil

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The government will not implement the three-member departmental committee's recommendation to cap the number of ration shops in the state at 10,000 as part of the wage revision for ration traders. Food Minister G.R. Anil informed the representatives of the ration traders' association that there is no intention to close even a single ration shop in the state in the name of wage revision. There are 13,893 ration shops in the state. The Food Department will hold discussions with shopkeepers regarding increasing income by converting shops that distribute below 15 quintals to K-stores. The meeting decided to consider including maximum ration shops in the K-store scheme and giving permission to sell more products from government, semi-government, public sector and government-approved institutions.

One rupee cess frozen

Meanwhile, the Food Minister informed the meeting that the decision to collect one rupee cess from blue and white ration card holders from April to strengthen the welfare fund of ration traders has been temporarily frozen following the Chief Minister's objection. This issue was not considered in today's discussion as the recommendations put forward by the committee regarding the wage revision of ration traders needed more clarity. The implementation of a comprehensive health insurance scheme for ration traders, salesmen and family members will be considered. The second phase of discussion on the report will be held after April 15.