Increase role of ration shops in PDS: Dealers

Bagh Lingampally: Telangana State Ration Dealers' Association conducted its state executive body meeting here at Sundaraiah Vignana Kendram on Thursday.

1. Express anguish at govt decision to limit them to distribution of only rice
2. Demand that more commodities be distributed through ration shops

Speaking on the occasion, Ramesh Babu, the president of the association, demanded that the state government appoint a ministerial sub-committee to study the issues of the ration shop dealers. He appealed to the state government to extend the role of ration shops in the distribution of essential items by increasing the range of items being given through ration shops.

Ramesh Babu requested the government to fulfil their long-standing demand of giving honorary payment to them. He expressed his anguish at the government's decision to limit ration shops to the distribution of rice.

The civil supplies system, which has been playing key role in supplying food items to poor has become insignificant due to the decision, he lamented. Referring to the Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao's statement in the current Assembly sessions that he would revive ration shops to their former glory, he said that the ration shop dealers had been eagerly waiting for the support of the government.

The direct elections will be held to the president of the executive body of the association and about 17,200 dealers spread across the state will participate in the elections, Ramesh Babu said. He said that he would strive for the conduct of elections peacefully and democratically and would coordinate with different groups in the union.

State leaders of Ration Shop Dealers' Association Reddymandla Hanumandlu, CH Mohan Rao, Dharavath Mohan Naik, MD Sadiq Basha, M Padma Bhaskar Reddy, U Shekhar and others participated in the meeting.