DIMAPUR — The All Nagaland Fair Price Shop Association (ANFPSA) has appealed to Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio to intervene in what it described as long-standing grievances affecting Fair Price Shop (FPS) dealers across the state, warning that unresolved issues may disrupt ration distribution in the coming months.

In a representation submitted through the department of Food and Civil Supplies, the association said that the resolutions were adopted during its State Working Committee meeting held on November 22, attended by representatives of FPS unions from 15 districts.

The representation, released to the media on Thursday, stated that FPS dealers, who operate without any salary or allowances, are facing severe financial strain due to the non-receipt of transportation and handling commission bills and alleged “unexplained high percentage deductions” from payments.

It urged the government to release all pending dues immediately.

The ANFPSA also pressed for uniform operational guidelines for rural and urban FPS outlets, saying that the practice of issuing rice once in two or three months in some areas was creating discrepancies, particularly when EPoS records form the basis for carried balance calculations and billing.

The association asked the government to ensure a minimum 25-day allotment window for beneficiaries to collect rations, and called for installation of weighbridges in every district to avoid losses arising from inaccurate measurements.

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Another issue highlighted was the non-identification of Tide-Over rice beneficiaries. The association claimed that large quantities of Tide-Over rice were being received by the state each month, but the beneficiaries had not been finalised despite earlier assurances that the category would be converted into GHH cards.

It urged the government to ensure that the rice reaches eligible families through FPS outlets by removing ineligible AAY/PHH beneficiaries.

Other concerns included ensuring accurate net-weight delivery of rice from PDCs, discontinuing unwarranted deductions reportedly applied to AAY beneficiaries in Mokokchung, addressing non-receipt of allocations by some ration cardholders, and regularising the supply of dal and sugar.

The association also requested public disclosure of OMSS outlet locations and government-prescribed rates so that people can access the subsidised rice conveniently.

The ANFPSA cautioned that if the department insists on carrying forward the carried balance without resolving the issues raised, FPS dealers may be unable to download truck chits and distribute rice in the coming months.

It urged the chief minister to ensure immediate release of pending bills and initiate corrective measures to maintain smooth and transparent implementation of the public distribution system in the state.