Hyderabad: Telangana ration shops are set to go on strike from September 1, citing severe financial distress due to pending payments from the government for the past five months. Shop owners report that commission payments and bills for ration distribution bags remain unsettled, while operational costs including rent and staff salaries continue to accumulate. In response, the Telangana Ration Dealers Association has announced statewide closures and protest programs.
Naikoti Raju, President of the Telangana State Ration Dealers Association, criticized the government for neglecting dealers’ dues despite promoting free rice distribution schemes as a major achievement. He demanded immediate settlement of pending payments, warning that ration shops will remain closed if dues are not cleared by August 31. The association plans protests at RDO offices on September 2, Collector offices on September 3, and at the Hyderabad Assembly premises on September 4.
The association has also urged the ruling Congress government to fulfill its election manifesto promises, including providing a monthly honorarium of Rs 5,000 for dealers and increasing commission rates from Rs 140 to Rs 300 per quintal. Dealers estimate that approximately Rs 25 crore in commissions have been withheld over five months, totaling Rs 125 crore. They further called for transforming ration shops into mini supermarkets offering essential daily commodities, rather than functioning solely as rice distribution centers.