A significant protest was held on Monday by the Fair Price Shop Dealers Association, Jharkhand, at the East Singhbhum district Deputy Commissioner’s office. The demonstration was organized to protest against the non-payment of commissions owed to the shopkeepers. The association submitted a memorandum and warned that if the pending commission payments are not cleared, all 1432 PDS shops in the district will close from September 1st, leading to a complete halt in the lifting and distribution of ration supplies.
The protest saw the participation of key members of the association, including District President Nagesh Jaiswal, along with senior officials such as Satyanarayan Rajak, Laxman Meedak, Advocate Vijay, and Vibhish Sav, along with a large group of shopkeepers. The shopkeepers highlighted that they and the women’s group committees have not received their commissions for several months, which has resulted in severe financial hardship for their families. They stated that, despite repeated pleas, the department had failed to make the necessary payments.
The association’s demands include the immediate payment of pending commissions, repair and maintenance of e-POS machines, increase in salaries, and improvements in the distribution and allocation of rations. The association has clearly stated that if their issues are not addressed, the shopkeepers will be forced to go on an indefinite strike, and the government and supply department will be held accountable for any resulting disruptions.