Thiruvananthapuram-Ration shops in the state will be closed tomorrow and the day after (Monday and Tuesday). The strike is in protest against the non-consideration of the demands in the petition given by the ration dealers to the government raising various demands. The ruling party unions are also participating in the strike. Various union leaders held talks with the minister last day but failed.
In their petition to the government, the unions had put forward a few demands such as wage reform and reorganization of the welfare fund board. These also include demands for periodic adjustment in the remuneration of dealers and payment of government salaries to employees of ration shops. But the government is not ready to accept the demands that come with financial burden. Food Minister GR Anil informed that the demands in the petition cannot be accepted immediately in a discussion with the union leaders in Thiruvananthapuram.
Kadampuzha Musa, state working president of the Ration Dealers Association, said that the two-day demonstration strike will be held now and if the demands are not accepted by the government, an indefinite strike will be held before Onam.