PDS shops closed from today, distributors say ‘give other food grains instead of money’

BENGALURU: Over 20,000 Public Distribution System (PDS) or fair price shops are closed today across the state in protest against the Congress government’s decision to transfer money to BPL cardholders in lieu of the promised additional 5 kg of rice under the Anna Bhagya scheme.

The Congress had announced prior to the Assembly polls that if elected to power, the government will give 10 kg of rice to BPL card holders from July. Now the government is trying hard to implement it. The state government has made many efforts, consulted neighbouring states to get additional stocks of rice, but it was not successful.

With the Food Corporation of India (FCI), NAFED, NCCF and the Kendriya Bhandar not able to supply rice, the Congress government decided to deposit money instead of an additional 5 kg of rice into the bank accounts of the BPL cardholders.

The PDS distributors said they were hoping for more commission if the government gives an additional 5 kg of rice to beneficiaries. Now, with the government deciding to deposit money instead of rice, the distributors say they will be deprived of additional commission and profit. They said they depend on the commission for their livelihood and added that they are concerned about their businesses.

Krishnappa, president of the PDS distributors’ association, said that more than 20,000 ration distributors in the state have decided to shut down their shops and not distribute rations from today. “The government should consult us and discuss it with us. Let the government give other food grains or cereals, or give us commission for the money they will deposit in the accounts of beneficiaries. The PDS distributors’ association is insisting that the government give us additional commission”, he said.

The Congress government came up with the idea of giving money in place of the additional 5 kg of rice to wriggle out of a sticky situation, but this has now turned out to be a big headache.