THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The first of the Supplyco ration shops started by the food department will be opened in Pulimoodu in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday. With the opening of the Supplyco ration shops, consumers will be able to buy ration even if ration traders go on strike. Similar ration shops under Supplyco will be opened in other districts as well. Meanwhile, a section of ration traders will approach the High Court against this.

The decision to give license to Supplyco ration shops was made to counter the frequent strike declarations by ration traders. Recently, it was found that grains from ration shops in Wayanad and Thiruvananthapuram were reaching the black market.

At present, ration licensees are private individuals. Traders' organizations claim that it is illegal to open government ration shops. To protest against this, traders will wear black badges tomorrow and shops will be closed from 3 pm to 7 pm. The strike is being led by the All Kerala Retail Ration Dealers Association and the Kerala State Retail Ration Dealers Association.