Updated on Nov 2 at 12 p.m.

The food & civil supply minister Kunvarji Bavaliya held a meeting with the fair price shop owners and had a number of negotiations but to no result, as the government did not agree to compensate the shop owners.

Earlier, the shop owners that served less than 300 ration card holders were promised a compensation of ₹20,000, however, the promises were not kept according to the shop owners.

On the other hand, Bavaliya claimed that the government has provided the shop owners with ₹3.44 crore so far.

The minister also made it clear that all the fair demands will be met, however, the government cannot be cornered. He stated that if the strike continues, an optional channel will be set up for the ration card holders to distribute grains and other goods.

Updated on Nov 1 at 12.45 p.m.

After their demands were not fulfilled by the government, 17,000 fair shops have announced an indefinite strike in Gujarat today.

Prior to this, the shop owners held protests in March and September this year, when they were assured of multiple solutions by  the government and the food, civil supplies & consumer affairs department.

Since the promises have not been kept, the 17,000 fair price shop owners decided to go on an indefinite strike.

Coming right before festivities, this may keep a number of ration card holders without rations such as grains and oil during Diwali.

Issues raised by shop owners

According to the shop owners, the government assured a compensation of ₹20,000 for the fair price shops that serve less than 300 ration card holders, which has not yet been fulfilled.

Moreover, the shop owners also face the issue of weight disparity, where the bags of grain have three to four kilograms less, resulting in a financial loss for the shop owners.

The shop owners reportedly stated that not only they are deprived of the income from the commission, they also have to put in their own money to keep the shop running.

They also complained that there is not a regular supply of grains.

Another issue raised by the shop owners was of the server which becomes inoperational frequently, often leading to friction between the card holders and shop owners.

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