Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration Minister Girish Bapat today appealed fair price shop owners to call off their ongoing strike, saying the government was ready to hold talks with them.
Bapat was speaking to reporters after a meeting with representatives of the Fair Price Shop Owners Association.
The association had called for a strike from April 1.
"Most of them have called off the strike, barring a few thousand shops from some districts. I appeal them to come for talks to find an amicable solutions," Bapat said.
"Out of 51,978 ration shops across Maharashtra, some 5,600 were on strike for one day. I would like to remind them that government has taken several decisions in the interest of shop owners.
"We have also revised their commission from Rs 70 per quintal to Rs 150 per quintal. The state government has also allowed them to sell crop seeds, small (LPG) cylinders and revised the kerosene commission," the minister said.
Asked what action his ministry would take if remaining shop owners didn't withdraw the strike, the minister said, "I will not hesitate to initiate action if they remain adamant.
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