Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 6: The Fair Price Shop Dealers Association (FPSDA) of Jammu and Kashmir has once again sounded an alarm over the Government’s inaction on their long-pending demands.
In a meeting of the Association held today, FPSDA president Ajay Gupta and other senior office bearers expressed deep resentment over what they termed as continued neglect by the Department of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs.
Gupta highlighted that the Association has been pursuing various legitimate demands since 2019, but to no avail. Among the key issues raised are the release of the pending Central share and commission related to the Mid Day Meal scheme and immediate approval of handling loss (wastage) charges for Fair Price Shop (FPS) dealers across the Union Territory.
“We have consistently raised our concerns through official reminders and peaceful protests, but the authorities have turned a deaf ear,” Gupta said. “Earlier this year, we were forced to go on strike under the banner of FPSDA J&K, hoping the Government would address our grievances. However, despite assurances, no concrete steps have been taken. The strike was only suspended in March out of public interest, not because our issues were resolved.”
The FPSDA president warned that the dealers are left with no other option but to resume their agitation if the authorities fail to act promptly. “We are not demanding anything outside the framework of our rights. These are dues and compensations we are legally and morally entitled to,” he asserted.
The Association has urged the higher authorities to intervene immediately and fulfill their promises, failing which, they cautioned, a fresh phase of strike action may begin, disrupting the distribution system across the region.
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