Haryana Ration depot holders are holding strike from January 1 this year demanding old rules in the federation, though this call for indefinite strike have not left any ill effect so far due to the beginning of the month and the ration card holders usually visit these depoys from the second week of the month. The depot holders of Haryana feel affected by the new rules issued by the government on August 1, 2022 and are demanding the government to withdraw them saying that the new rules will violate the interests and rights of ration depot holders. Although the government has increased the margin money by Rs 200 per quintal, but due to this decision there is a possibility of increase in snatching of ration depots and card holders.The government has decided to license of one depot on 300 ration cards, whereas earlier there were rules for granting license of ration depot on 600 to 1200 ration cards. The Federation of Haryana has demanded restoration of the old rules.
Federation State President Sheeshpal Godara, Executive President Rambir Safidon, General Secretary Rajbir Singh Nain, Treasurer Rajendra Sharma and Convener Shivkumar Garg while talking to media persons said that the government is trying to eliminate employment by imposing unfair conditions on 300 ration cards. The age limit of 60 years for depot holder should be completely removed on the lines of other states, since there is no justification for such a condition for the licensees, they said that if the government has to give permission to run the license only till the age of 60 years, then by declaring the depot operators as contract employee all the old age depot operators should be given monthly pension of Rs 15,000 and insurance scheme on the lines of journalists, besides minimum two percent reduction towaeds handling loss and shortages should be given during distribution of ration and if the ratio is found more or less by five quintals during physical verification, permission should be given to complete the ration.
The federation demanded financial help to be provided to depot holders who lost their lives during the Carona epidemic outbreak. Ration depot holders also demanded that the earlier reduction of Rs 400 per quintal in levy sugar should be reinstated and said that ration depot shops should be allotted to family members of depot holders who lost their lives during service period and Corona period on the basis of compassion (PDS Control Order-2002). They demanded financial assistance of Rs 50 lakh should be given to the dependents of depot holders who lost their lives during the Corona period, on the lines of the Rajasthan government. They said that all fair price depot holders will remain on strike until the government accepts their demands.for restoration of old rules in the federation.
The protestors said that they are hurt by the new rules issued by the government on August 1, 2022 and are demanding the government to change them saying that the new rules will violate the interests and rights of ration depot holders in the state, although the government has increased the margin money by Rs 200 per quintal, but due to this decision there is a possibility of increase in snatching of ration depots and card holders.The government has decided to give license of one depot on 300 ration cards, whereas earlier there were rules for granting license of ration depot on 600 to 1200 ration cards. The Federation of Haryana has demanded restoration of the old rules. Federation State President Sheeshpal Godarasaid that a protest will be held outside the office of the directorate at Panchkula on 8th January 2023.
