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Hindustan Times
31-07-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Ludhiana: Fair price shop dealers seek commission hike
Days after the Central government tweaked changes for the public distribution system for the inclusion of new ration cards under 'One Nation One Ration Card Scheme' on July 22, fair price shop dealers often dubbed as ration depot holders in Ludhiana have raised concerns over their existing commission rates. According to a Central government list of remuneration provided to fair price shop dealers, Mizoram gets the highest commission worth ₹ 285. (HT Photo) Notably, the ration depot holders are demanding an increase in commission from the current ₹90 per quintal to ₹200, aligning it with the rates offered in neighbouring states citing rising operational costs and inadequate compensation. They further pointed out that if the Central government is aiming for a unified structure and set of rules for the public distribution system (PDS) under the scheme, then fair price shop dealers across all states should be treated equally. 'If we are expected to follow the same guidelines and ensure smooth and timely distribution of ration, why there is such disparity in our commission rates, they said. According to a Central government list of remuneration provided to fair price shop dealers, Mizoram gets the highest commission worth ₹285, followed by Kerala that is ₹271.73 and ₹200 in neighbouring states such as Delhi and Haryana. Additionally, Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan also get commissions worth ₹180 and 129.7 respectively. Roshan Lal, a local fair price shop dealer noted, 'In August 2024, the state government revised our commission from ₹50 to ₹90 per quintal. But even this increase is insufficient to cover the escalating expenses. In urban areas, monthly rent for a depot averages around ₹3,000. Add to this, the electricity cost at ₹10 per unit, wages for labourers who unload and store wheat bags, and handle losses, we are left with no margin.' Karamjit Singh Arechha, national assistant secretary and Punjab president of the All-India Fair Price Shop Dealers Federation, backed the demand, highlighting regional disparities. 'Punjab depot holders receive the lowest commission compared to neighbouring states. In Haryana, it was increased from ₹150 to ₹200 per quintal in October 2023. Delhi implemented a ₹70 to ₹200 slab in February 2018. Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir also provide ₹180 per quintal, then why we are being left to fend in such a low commission when we are delivering the same services. When contacted, Rahul Tiwari, principal secretary, Punjab food, civil supplies and consumer affairs department said,' The demand for the commission hike has not been brought to my notice yet. If they formally submit their demands, I will send to the appropriate body as we need ministerial approval for any steep hike.'
The Print
02-06-2025
- The Print
GST inspector held in Haryana's Palwal while accepting bribe: Anti-Corruption Bureau
Faridabad (Hry), Jun 2 (PTI) The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in Faridabad arrested a female GST inspector of the office of the Palwal district excise and taxation commissioner on Monday while she was allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 5,000 in lieu of issuing a GST number to a complainant, an official said. According to a statement issued by the ACB, accused Sumitra was also arrested in Panipat in 2022 while accepting a bribe of Rs 2 lakh, along with co-accused ETO Roshan Lal. A senior ACB officer said in the Panipat case, a chargesheet was filed against both the accused in July 2022 and the matter is still sub-judice.
Indian Express
20-05-2025
- Indian Express
Punjab and Haryana High Court flags ‘bouncer' menace in Punjab, says it's spreading fear
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has granted anticipatory bail to an accused in a case involving an unlicensed private security agency, even as it raised alarm over the growing 'bouncer' culture in Punjab. The High Court passed the order late last month, and the ruling was uploaded Tuesday. The case was based on a complaint by Jagvir Singh, owner of Jass Security Khanna Agency, who alleged that the accused Taranjeet Singh and his co-accused Roshan Lal ran an unlicensed agency named Fateh Group, and had threatened and defamed him. As per the complaint, 'The petitioner Taranjeet Singh, along with co-accused Roshan Lal, threatened the complainant with dire consequences through mobile phone, and they also used to defame the business of the complainant by posting false stories on Facebook and Instagram.' An inquiry by the deputy superintendent of police (Detective), Khanna, confirmed that Taranjeet Singh and his associate were operating without a licence, in violation of the Punjab Private Security Agency Rules, 2007. While noting that Taranjeet Singh had earlier withdrawn a bail plea due to an undisclosed past FIR under Section 15 of the NDPS Act, the court held there was no need for custodial interrogation. 'This means that if the police were, in fact, interested in arresting the petitioner, they would have done so because they also arrested the co-accused Roshan. Be that as it may, this is not a case where pre-trial custodial interrogation is required or would be justified.' The court granted him anticipatory bail subject to furnishing bonds and cooperating with the investigation. But beyond the bail order, the court's remarks targeted deeper concerns about the abuse of power in the private security sector. Referring to the Fateh Bouncer Security Group, the court observed, 'The paramount concern for this Court is the use of the word 'Bouncer' in 'Fateh Bouncer Security Group.' Incidents like these highlight a disturbing trend where a particular segment of employers and employees, under the guise of a simple job description 'Bouncer,' have started adopting a terrorising and bullying role, becoming too comfortable donning an armour of hostility, aggression and subjecting the citizenry to indignity and humiliation at will, unafraid of any negative consequences, presuming themselves to have unfettered powers over the law.' Quoting dictionary definitions, the court said: 'According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, a bouncer is one that bounces: such as (a): one employed to restrain or eject disorderly persons; (b): a bouncing ground ball. According to the Oxford Dictionary, a bouncer is defined as a person employed to eject disorderly persons from a public place, especially a bar or nightclub.' The court noted that the term, as used in Punjab, had come to denote private muscle power beyond legal bounds — 'extra-constitutional authorities' who 'take pride in exuberant arrogance, using threats, intimidation, physical coercion, and brute force as weapons.' Emphasising that the term has no legal backing, the court stated, 'The Private Security Agencies (Regulation) Act, 2005, does not refer to security guards as 'bouncers.' The security agencies have to employ security guards as per the Private Security Agencies (Regulation) Act, 2005, and in the state of Punjab, also as per the Punjab Private Security Agency Rules, 2007.' It added that the original role of security personnel — to ensure safety and respect — had been perverted, with 'bouncers' now instilling 'fear, anxiety, and terror in the mind of the public and to intimidate others.' The court criticised Punjab for turning a blind eye. 'The State is also aware of how the term 'bouncer' is being used by security agencies to throw around their weight and exert their influence, as explicitly mentioned in this FIR. However, the State chooses to remain unperturbed, unconcerned, and, therefore, insensitive towards such an issue.' It urged the executive to step in, observing, 'It is up to the State to take or not to take any steps to ensure that the term 'Bouncer' is not used by any recovery or security agents or their agencies for their employees so that these security guards/personnel associate their respective roles with respect, dignity and responsibility.'
Business Recorder
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Indian border villagers want recompense for damages in Pakistan clashes
JAMMU/SRINAGAR: Pakistan and India are maintaining a ceasefire that ended four days of intense military clashes, but many in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) are demanding compensation for damages from cross-border firing. Hundreds of villagers evacuated their homes as the rivals targeted each other's military installations with missiles and drones, killing about 70 civilians, after New Delhi struck what it called terrorist camps across the border. Many returned to find their homes destroyed or roofless. 'Where will we go with our kids? We don't have anywhere to live and anything to eat,' said Roshan Lal, from the village of Kot Maira in Akhnoor in India's district of IIOJK, about 7 km (4 miles) from the de facto border. The shelling had left his home uninhabitable, the 47-year-old added. 'I want to ask Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government for justice,' he said. 'We need compensation for the damages.' Blasts heard in IIOJK's Srinagar, say official, Reuters witness, residents In the nearby village of Pahari Wala, farmer Karan Singh said he buried seven cattle in his field, while his family are living in makeshift shelters. 'I left the village when the conflict began,' he said. 'We don't have a place to stay.' In Salamabad, a border village in the IIOJK Valley, shelling injured Badrudin Naik and his six-year-old son, but both returned home after five days. 'I am happy to return,' he said. 'But my house is damaged. My two uncles' houses were completely destroyed. We want a permanent peace as it is we on the border who suffer more.' Teams have fanned out in the region to assess damage to homes, shops and other facilities, said a senior local government official, who sought anonymity as he was not authorised to speak to media. 'Today our teams have gone to the areas which were affected,' he said, adding, 'The government will decide the amount of compensation.' Blast heard in Pakistan's Lahore amid tensions with India, say Reuters witness On Monday, Modi warned Pakistan that New Delhi would target 'terrorist hideouts' across the border again if there were new attacks on India. Pakistan denies Indian accusations of supporting militants who attack India. Standing in front of the cracked wall of his Pahari Wala home, Joginder Lal said Modi should ignore US President Donald Trump, who announced the ceasefire, saying Washington had played a role in halting the fighting. 'We want to take full revenge against Pakistan,' the 60-year-old added.
Arab News
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Indian border villagers want recompense for damages in Pakistan clashes
JAMMU/SRINAGAR: Nuclear-armed rivals India and Pakistan are maintaining a ceasefire that ended four days of intense military clashes, but many in the Indian-administered part of disputed Kashmir are demanding compensation for damages from cross-border firing. Hundreds of villagers evacuated their homes as the rivals targeted each other's military installations with missiles and drones, killing about 70 civilians, after New Delhi struck what it called terrorist camps across the border. Many returned to find their homes destroyed or roofless. 'Where will we go with our kids? We don't have anywhere to live and anything to eat,' said Roshan Lal, from the village of Kot Maira in Akhnoor in the district of Jammu, about 7 km (4 miles) from the de facto border. The shelling had left his home uninhabitable, the 47-year-old added. 'I want to ask Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government for justice,' he said. 'We need compensation for the damages.' In the nearby village of Pahari Wala, farmer Karan Singh said he buried seven cattle in his field, while his family are living in makeshift shelters. 'I left the village when the conflict began,' he said. 'We don't have a place to stay.' In Salamabad, a border village in the Kashmir Valley, shelling injured Badrudin Naik and his six-year-old son, but both returned home after five days. 'I am happy to return,' he said. 'But my house is damaged. My two uncles' houses were completely destroyed. We want a permanent peace as it is we on the border who suffer more.' Hindu-majority India and Muslim Pakistan, which both rule part of Kashmir, but claim it in full, have fought two of their three wars over the region and engaged in several smaller clashes over the decades. Teams have fanned out in the region to assess damage to homes, shops and other facilities, said a senior local government official, who sought anonymity as he was not authorized to speak to media. 'Today our teams have gone to the areas which were affected,' he said, adding, 'The government will decide the amount of compensation.' On Monday, Modi warned Pakistan that New Delhi would target 'terrorist hideouts' across the border again if there were new attacks on India. Pakistan denies Indian accusations of supporting militants who attack India. Standing in front of the cracked wall of his Pahari Wala home, Joginder Lal said Modi should ignore US President Donald Trump, who announced the ceasefire, saying Washington had played a role in halting the fighting. 'We want to take full revenge against Pakistan,' the 60-year-old added.
