Darjeeling, Feb. 19: The Gorkha Hill Modified Ration Dealers’ Association today lashed out at the district administration for its failure to redress their longstanding demands.

The association alleged that the authorities were “reluctant” to pay heed to their demands despite the fact that the Darjeeling hills is a non-producing zone with more than 80 per cent of the local population dependent on the public distribution system.

Earlier, the dealers had threatened to stop distribution of foodgrain and other essential commodities in the hills from February 24 if the government fails to comply with their demands.

“The government has not convened a single meeting to sort out the matter so far. The strike is now a certainty,” said Raju Agarwal, vice-president of the dealers’ association.

“We have to incur huge freight costs. Besides, we do not get any transport rebate for ferrying sugar. The rate for transporting essential commodities like rice and wheat is also nominal. At present, the government pays Rs 9.50 per quintal for the first 10 km and then an additional sum of Rs 1.06 for every km,” said the vice-president.

“Taking into consideration the hostile hilly terrain, we are demanding Rs 30 for the first 10 km and Rs 3 for every km,” he added.

The situation, Agarwal pointed out, has worsened since 1992.

“Earlier, we could directly lift the foodgrain from the Food Corporation of India warehouses and would also get a freight concession for sugar. The practice was, however, stopped after the state food and supplies department started distributing the essential commodities,” the vice-president added.

Aggrieved dealers are also peeved about their “meagre profit margin”, amounting to only 2.1 per cent.

The association insists that its earnings should be 10 times more than the existing gains.

As the three hill subdivisions brace for the PDS imbroglio from February 24, Darjeeling district magistrate Hriydesh Mohan said he had received the list of demands from the association.

“I have already forwarded it to the senior officials. The government now has to iron out the differences,” Mohan added.