Jharkhand PDS Dealers Protest Unpaid Commissions, Threaten Shop Closures

In East Singhbhum, members of the Fair Price Shop Dealers Association, Jharkhand, protested at the Deputy Commissioner’s office. They delivered a memorandum highlighting the non-payment of commissions, threatening to close 1432 PDS shops starting September 1st. This action would cease all ration distribution in the district. The protest included district officials such as Nagesh Jaiswal, along with numerous shopkeepers. They expressed that shopkeepers and women’s committees had not received their commissions for several months, pushing them into a financial crisis. Despite numerous appeals, the authorities have not disbursed the funds. The association is calling for commission payments, along with upgrades to e-POS machines, better compensation, and improvements to the distribution process. The association has made it clear that if their demands are not met, they will be compelled to shut down their shops indefinitely, placing the responsibility on the government and supply department.