'Ration Shopkeepers’ Pending Dues To Be Released Soon,' Says Maharashtra Revenue Minister Bawankule

Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule has issued clear directives for the immediate disbursal of pending honorarium to fair price (ration) shopkeepers and announced that a formal proposal addressing their long-pending demands will be sent to the central government. The announcement was made during a meeting held on Tuesday at Mantralaya.

The meeting was attended by Food and Civil Supplies Minister Chhagan Bhujbal, office-bearers of the Nagpur District Rural Fair Price Shopkeepers’ Association, and senior officials.

While discussing the issues, Minister Bawankule said, “Fair price shopkeepers are the backbone of the government's public distribution system. We are committed to resolving their problems and ensuring they receive appropriate compensation. The proposal will be sent to the Centre soon, and necessary steps will be taken to release the overdue commissions.”

During the meeting, shopkeepers expressed their distress over surviving on minimal commission while delivering government-subsidized grains to beneficiaries. Many revealed that their commissions have been unpaid for the past six to eight months, forcing them to borrow money to cover operational costs like shop rent, electricity bills, weighing staff salaries, and e-PoS machine recharges. They demanded urgent action on pending issues and requested that the government acknowledge their demands and deliver timely justice.

Key Demands of Ration Shopkeepers:

Increase commission per quintal from ₹150 to ₹300

Immediate payment of commission pending for the last 6–8 months

Monthly commission to be paid regularly by the 5th of each month

Permanent resolution of server and network issues; manual distribution option to be implemented

All distributed items (grains, sarees, bags, kits) to be included under one bill

Immediate payment of pending commission for saree and bag distribution

Separate honorarium for Aadhaar linking, mobile number linking, and e-KYC tasks

A minimum 1% allowance for distribution loss

Provision for nomination facility for license inheritance

Identity cards to be issued to all shopkeepers