THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Rejecting the assurances given by Minister GR Anil, the organizations of ration traders have decided to go ahead with the indefinite shop closure strike from the 27th. The strike was announced by the pro-government organizations in the discussion held in the minister's office, rejecting the consensus proposals put forward by the minister.

The representatives of the organization informed that the discussion failed when the minister could not give assurance on the wage reform. The organizations demanded that as the commission for 3000 traders is less than Rs.10,000, wages should be revised so that those distributing 30 quintals get at least Rs.30,000. The strike is based on demands such as payment of monthly commission, introduction of health insurance scheme, strengthening of the traders' welfare fund and abandonment of the central government's move to give money instead of food grains.

The minister said that the government spends Rs 33.5 crore to pay commissions to traders a month on an average of Rs 300 per quintal of foodgrain supply. However, the leaders pointed out that the government had promised to reform the commission within six months when the current commission came into existence in 2018. The minister stated that the welfare fund will be strengthened and a retirement plan will be prepared. The minister also explained that agencies have not been found for health insurance.

Ration Traders Coordination Committee including All Kerala Retail Ration Dealers Association (AKRRDA), Kerala State Retail Ration Dealers Association led by Adoor Prakash and G Krishnaprasad, Kerala Rationing Employees Union (KREU-CITU), and Kerala Ration Employees Federation (AITUC) issued strike notices separately.