Muddled PDS hits ration shop operators in K'taka

The muddled ration-card distribution and cut in ration quota to card holders under the public distribution system (PDS) has hit the fair price shop operators in Karnataka, both in their grain distribution and commission earned.

The fair price shop operators are being given commission fixed some 20 years ago, but even this earning has been eroded with a reduction in quota of rice from 25 kgs to 5 kgs, wheat from 5 kgs to 2 kgs and sugar and kerosene more or less taken out of the regular monthly allotment to the cardholders.

Adding to the reduction in the monthly allocation of foodgrains, the reduction in number of ration cards and the introduction of unit system has also hit their earnings.

The BPL cards numbered 7.34 Million in 2001 in the State. It fell to 6.2 Million in 2006, a cut by over 1.1 million cards. Protests from the beneficiaries resulted in additional 800,000 cards' issue in 2007, but they got no quota for three months.

Apart from public protests over denial of cards, the ration shop operators also took up the issue with the previous coalition government. However, nothing came out. The ration shopkeepers impressed upon the Governor in a delegation on the need to issue more cards. Consequently, an order was issued for 12-lakh card distribution recently. When the distribution was on, the Assembly polls has come in the way. So far, only around 3.9 lakh G-9 cards are distributed. Beneficiaries in Mysore district are among those who are yet to get their cards, as the officials are busy with poll preparations.

Karnataka has 20,553 public distribution shops and 35,000 kerosene distributors, of whom 277 are wholesalers. Each shop has 500-card allotment.

Explaining the muddled scenario in the State PDS, State Government Fair Price Shop Dealers' Association President T Krishnappa blamed the BJP and its leadership for the present position.

"While in the Opposition, B.S.Yediyurappa had shown keen interest and promised to resolve the issue, but when he became the Finance Minister and Deputy Chief Minister, he showed little interest," Krishnappa charged in Mysore.

"In the name of eliminating the rich, poor people have been removed from the PDS. The list of beneficiaries removed from quota has not been published or the ration shops informed about it. As a result, food distribution has become a difficult task for ration shop operators," he said.

"Yediyurappa and the then minister for food and civil supplies Govind Karjol alone are to be blamed for muddle," vice-president Dundaiah charged.

Krishnappa said they had represented to the Governor to increase the commission on rice to Rs. 50 from the present Rs. 26 and on wheat to Rs 30 from the present Rs 19.50 per quintal.

"We are hopeful of getting Rs 31 on both," he said, urging the authorities in Mysore district to issue the G-9 cards soon, as the order for their distribution was done prior to the poll announcement.