Ration dealers stage protest, highlight key demands

Ration dealers staging protest in Jammu on Friday. -Excelsior/Rakesh
Ration dealers staging protest in Jammu on Friday. -Excelsior/Rakesh

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 7: Fair price shop dealers in Jammu staged a protest today to highlight their long-standing demands and grievances.
The dealers called for the immediate release of their pending commissions, which they claim have been overdue for a significant period. A key demand raised during the protest was a minimum salary of Rs 50, 000 per month for ration dealers of Jammu as their counterparts in Kashmir reportedly receive a monthly salary of Rs 90,000.
The dealers also expressed their grievances regarding the non-payment of shop rents. They further complained about a shortage in ration supply, claiming that despite paying full amount, they receive 2-3 kg less than the designated quantity, which has been causing inconvenience to both dealers and the public.
Another significant issue highlighted was the lack of compensation for wastage, which the dealers claimed is being provided by the Central Government but has not reached them. The protesting dealers urged the authorities to address their concerns promptly, emphasizing that their demands were reasonable and necessary for the smooth functioning of fair price shops in the region.