Punjab ration dealers want aid to disburse grain under Food Scheme

CHANDIGARH: About 26,000 ration dealers in Punjab today announced that they would not distribute foodgrain under the Food Security Scheme unless paid Rs 20,000 each per month to manage the additional expenses.

The Fair Price shop owners, under the banner of Punjab Depot Holders Union (PDHU), said it would not be feasible to run their operations if not paid adequately by the Centre.

"We have decided not to distribute ration under the Centre's Food Security Programme till we get our dues," PDHU president Gurjinder Singh Sidhu said.

"We have estimated that we will have to bear an additional expenditure of Rs 20,000 per month for administrative expenses including ship rent, salary and transportation cost," he said.

Asked whether they will continue to distribute subsidised ration under the SAD-BJP government's Atta-Dal Scheme, Sidhu said they would continue to provide foodgrain under this scheme to over 15 lakh families.

The Punjab government had earlier demanded the Centre for a sum of Rs 11,800 per for each Fair Price shop owner for the implementation of the Food Security Programme.