THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Food department to collect money from beneficiaries to raise money for Ration Traders Welfare Fund. The Finance Department has accepted the Food Department's recommendation to levy a cess of "one rupee'' each month from blue and white card holders. This can be implemented only by amending the Welfare Act. The file containing the provisions is under the consideration of the Legal Department. It is decided to pass it in the assembly.

This move is also to discourage the ration traders from the strike announced. The food department had considered collecting 'one rupee' last June after the ration trader welfare fund became empty. The Food Department had accepted the recommendation of the Public Distribution Commissioner but the Finance Department had not.

The government has not paid its share to the Ration Trader Welfare Fund for 24 years. The government is collecting Rs 200 to the board from the ration traders. With the suspension of pension and medical aid, the traders had given letters that they would not pay into the welfare fund.

50 lakh per month can be collected

There are more than 50 lakh non-Priority status and white card holders. More than 50 lakh rupees will reach the Ration Traders Welfare Board if one rupee is collected. Although the proposal is to be implemented only in the next financial year, it is likely to continue.

Pension amount will increase

• The government provides Rs 1500 as a pension to a trader who is a member of the welfare fund and a maximum of Rs 25,000 (one time) in case of terminal illness. The food department is considering to increase the pension amount. The amount has not been decided.
• 1564 traders are receiving pensions. The finance department has to find Rs 80 lakh every three months to pay the pension. 23 lakhs is also to be paid as medical assistance.

Discussion with traders

Minister GR Anil said in the Assembly that the ration shop traders would hold talks again in the presence of Finance Minister KN Balagopal to end the ration strike announced on the 27th. The next discussion will be on two demands that the state government can implement out of the four demands raised by the Ration Coordination Committee in the earlier discussion.

Strike by closing ration shop from 27th

The strike of transport contractors who deliver goods to ration shops in the state has passed three weeks. The ration traders will be closing their shops and going on an indefinite strike from the 27th. The distribution of ration will stop with this. There are only three days left to buy January rations before the strike begins. 47% are yet to buy ration. Minister GR Anil convened an online meeting with District Supply Officers to assess the situation. The minister requested ration traders to withdraw from the strike.