Gujarat’s Fair Price Shop owners halt foodgrain purchases to protest unpaid dues, low commissions

Fair Price Shop (FPS) owners across Gujarat have launched a state-wide non-cooperation movement against the government, refusing to lift foodgrain stocks from November 1. The protest follows what the owners describe as months of government inaction on their long-pending demands.

According to representatives, not a single FPS dealer has purchased stocks of sugar, oil, or food grains despite warnings from the Food and Civil Supplies Department. The standoff could leave millions of ration cardholders without food supplies in the coming month.

Over 17,000 shops join protest

Around 17,000 FPS owners have declared they will boycott foodgrain distribution until their demands are met. Their primary demand is an increase in the monthly commission from ₹20,000 to ₹30,000.

Dealers also want the government to stop deducting amounts from their commission for the past six months and to speed up transfer of login credentials to legal heirs within 30 days of a dealer’s death, instead of the current 45 days.

They have further sought that the government bear the cost of transporting food grains from the godown to rural shops, along with a 5% rise in the existing commission and early settlement of other pending issues.

Biometric verification rule under fire

The dealers have also opposed a recent circular mandating biometric verification, calling it cumbersome and unnecessary. They allege that frequent changes in the distribution process have complicated the system and affected smooth operations.

“The strike will continue until our demands are met,” a representative of the FPS owners’ association said, warning of further escalation if the government remains unresponsive.

New cabinet faces early test amid parallel agitations

The protest comes just days after the formation of the new state cabinet, which is already facing multiple employee agitations. Alongside the FPS strike, employees of the State Supply Corporation have announced their own protest action.

Citing similar grievances over pending issues, Supply Corporation employees plan to begin a pen-down strike on November 3, followed by mass casual leave on November 4. If their demands remain unaddressed, they have warned they will withdraw from the Midday Meal Scheme and foodgrain distribution from November 10.

With both FPS dealers and Supply Corporation staff pressing for their demands, the government faces mounting pressure to respond as the state’s food distribution network risks disruption.