Telangana’s ration dealers to go on strike, shops to remain shut from Oct 1

Ration dealers across Telangana have announced that they will close all fair price shops starting October 1, in protest against long-pending demands and grievances with the state government. The move is likely to affect lakhs of beneficiaries who depend on the public distribution system (PDS) for essential commodities.

According to the Telangana Ration Dealers’ Association, the strike decision was taken after repeated appeals to the government for resolution of issues such as commission hikes, clearance of dues, and better working conditions went unheard. The association has warned that unless their demands are addressed promptly, they will continue their agitation indefinitely.

“We have been serving the people for years, but the government has failed to recognize our hardships. Rising operational costs and pending arrears have made it impossible to continue,” association leaders said in a statement.

The protest is expected to disrupt the supply of rice, wheat, sugar, and other essential items distributed through fair price shops across urban and rural areas. Beneficiaries have expressed concern over the timing of the strike, particularly with festive and exam seasons approaching.

Meanwhile, state officials have urged the dealers to withdraw the strike and assured that discussions are underway to resolve the matter. However, no formal agreement has been reached so far.