THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a concerning development, the Ration shops started running out of rice and other domestic supplies. The Kerala Transport Contractors Association (NFSA), which collects these from godowns and distributes them 'doorstep' to ration shops, are on strike from January 1. This has also stymied the supply of essential goods to shops. By the end of the coming week, all the existing supplies will become completely scarce.

The ration traders have announced an indefinite strike from 27 with various demands. The strike is under the leadership of the Ration Coordination Joint Committee comprising four organizations. It has been informed that the contract company will withdraw from the e-POS service by the end of this month. With all the predicament ahead, the public distribution of domestic supplies through ration shops in February is certain to be in crisis.

• The reason for the strike by the doorstep suppliers is that the bill amount from October to December has not been paid in full and the dues in September have not been paid in part. This is the fourth strike by contractors in two years for bill arrears.

• The ration debtors have given a strike notice with the demands of revising the wage package and abandoning the central government's direct payment system.

• Due to increasing arrears in the service fee of e-POS machines and the unwillingness of the government to renew the annual maintenance contract, the contract company is forced to terminate the service after 31st of this month.