Ration dealers to protest against Central reforms in PDS

Ration dealers under the banner of All Kerala Retail Ration Dealers Association (AKRRDA) have announced a series of Statewide demonstrations and a national march to Parliament in protest against various reforms proposed by the Centre in the public distribution system (PDS).

The dealers’ prime demand is to immediately withdraw the proposal to implement Direct Benefit Transfer in the ration sector. They warned that shifting from per-capita grain allocation to cash transfers directly into bank accounts would amount to replicating the reforms made in the case of cooking gas subsidies.

According to them, while beneficiaries might receive financial transfers in the initial phase, the association cautioned that the subsidies could eventually be phased out entirely. 

The association also expressed strong opposition to the introduction of digital wallets in the sector. The dealers’ alleged that such reforms are designed to weaken neighborhood ration shops and divert the public distribution network into the hands of corporate supermarket monopolies. 

The protesters also urged the Centre to abandon any move to reduce the ration quota for Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) cardholders and to guarantee a per-capita food grain allocation of 13.5 kg in accordance with World Food Programme (WFP) guidelines. They also demanded the restoration of curtailed kerosene and sugar quotas, the steady availability of essential food grains and daily necessities for all cardholders, and fair wages and job security for ration dealers and salesmen. 

The agitation will commence on Monday with protests staged in front of Central government offices at taluk headquarters in the State, followed by a satyagraha in front of the Accountant General’s Office in Thiruvananthapuram on November 25. The campaign will culminate with a Parliament march on December 3. 

Published - November 01, 2026 07:11 pm IST