THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The merchants in the city are contemplating protest over the steep rise in the food licence fee. The union government has recently decided to increase the licence fee from Rs 12 to 2000 with effect from March. "The government should reconsider the decision to increase the fee by manifolds. It is going to affect us very badly," said Mohammad Sidhique, a shopkeeper based in Chalai.
Till last year the merchants used to get their food license by paying Rs 12 at the corporation. The rate for shops coming under municipalities and panchayats were Rs 6. From this year a shopkeeper with an annual turn over of Rs 12 lakh and less will have to pay Rs 100 to get the licence.
The authorities say that the decision was not sudden and that widespread awareness campaigns were organized for the shopkeepers. "This is an implementation of Food Safety and Standards Act 2006, which officially came into force in August 2011. It is a central government decision and we cannot do anything to alter it," said S Usha Rani, designated officer, district food safety commissionerate. Meanwhile, the merchants have approached the state government. "The government has assured us that we should pay only Rs 100 as of now and have asked us to wait till a favourable decision is reached. We are ready to wait, but if the government fails to keep the promise we will launch intense protests," said Peringamala Ramachandran, district president, vyapari vyavasayi ekopana samithi.
Till last year the merchants used to get their food license by paying Rs 12 at the corporation. The rate for shops coming under municipalities and panchayats were Rs 6. From this year a shopkeeper with an annual turn over of Rs 12 lakh and less will have to pay Rs 100 to get the licence.
The authorities say that the decision was not sudden and that widespread awareness campaigns were organized for the shopkeepers. "This is an implementation of Food Safety and Standards Act 2006, which officially came into force in August 2011. It is a central government decision and we cannot do anything to alter it," said S Usha Rani, designated officer, district food safety commissionerate. Meanwhile, the merchants have approached the state government. "The government has assured us that we should pay only Rs 100 as of now and have asked us to wait till a favourable decision is reached. We are ready to wait, but if the government fails to keep the promise we will launch intense protests," said Peringamala Ramachandran, district president, vyapari vyavasayi ekopana samithi.
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