Ration shops to remain closed on April 30

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: All-India Ration Dealers Association has stated that the ration shops would remain closed on April 30 in protest against the government’s decision to transfer the subsidy on ration goods directly to the beneficiaries.National secretary of the Association Babychan  Mukkadan told a news conference here on Saturday that the Central Government’s decision would destroy the ration system in the country.They would also observe a fast in New Delhi on May 29.He said the Congress should take over the Civil Supplies portfolio in the state to  prevent the department from being hijacked by the ‘ration mafia’.He said the Central Government was planning to raise the ration prices and transfer the subsidy meant for the beneficiaries directly to them.The government should bear the expenses for converting the ration shops into online ration shops, he said.