The JKAP leader said that the fair price shop dealers in J&K were already suffering immense difficulties on account of varying rates of grains, untimely disbursement of commission and unreliable supply of food grains. “Now with the launch of ‘One Nation One Card’ scheme which is beneficial for the people especially migrant labourers, the government must safeguard the interests of fair price shop dealers who are otherwise also not in a position to support their families in a comfortable manner,” Mir opined.
He, however, lauded the government of India for its flagship scheme ‘One Nation One Nation Card’ which according to him enables ration cardholders to access Public Distribution System benefits from any fair price shop in the country. Mir said that with the help of new electronic ration card portability scheme, a single ration card holder will be eligible to fetch food grains at any fair price shop in his vicinity.
“While the Central government has launched this scheme with the sole aim to mitigate the sufferings of the general public, the government of J&K should chalk out a plan to bring all the fair price shop dealers on government rolls and provide them consolidated wages on a monthly basis instead of their monthly commissions,” he demanded.
Meanwhile, the JKAP leader expressed deep concern over the poor implementation of COVID-19 guidelines at government ration depots and fair price shops where a bulk number of beneficiaries are supposed to record their thumb impressions on biometric machines to fetch their free ration.
“On the one hand we are imposing lockdown to stem the spread of this deadly disease, and on the other we have reports that social and health protocols mandated under COVID guidelines are observed in breach at these spots. The concerned authorities should ensure that biometric machines are properly sanitized and all the visiting beneficiaries should be asked to abide by the social distancing and sanitization norms,” he pleaded.
