Ration depots in the state, the designated outlets for distribution of atta-dal to eligible beneficiaries holding valid blue cards, are threatening to prolong their ongoing strike beyond January 15 if the state government fails to accept their demands.

The distribution of atta-dal is done in Punjab from 16th of every month to the month-end. However, if the threat of Punjab Fair Price Shop Association, the union of ration depots in the state, is anything to go by, the government could land itself in a piquant situation. President of the association Janak Raj Garg, while talking to The Indian Express, today said, "The government pays us no commission, no labour charges. We have to bear all costs from our pocket to carry out the distribution.''

Garg said the beneficiaries, over 13.4 lakh in Punjab, were given atta-dal at the same price (Rs 20 for dal and Rs 4 for wheat) at which the government forwards it to them. "We even have to bear the cost of transportation from the government warehouse to depots," he rued.

The association representatives had also met Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal to air their grievance. "The CM has assured us that he would talk to the minister concerned for redressing our grouse," he said.

The scheme was launched on August 15 last year and would cost the state, in the form of subsidy, a whopping over Rs 800 crore annually. Now, with the association mounting pressure on the government, the state government, which is already finding it hard to take on this high financial cost to sustain the scheme, might have to dish out more to satisfy the protesting depot-holders.