Ludhiana, Dec. 16 -- Nearly nine months after the central government shifted commission disbursements to the SNA-SPARSH (Single Nodal Agency - System for Payments, Accounting, Reconciliation and Settlement of funds) payment module in April, ration depot holders in Ludhiana are reeling under prolonged payment delays, with commissions running several months behind schedule, forcing them to continue lifting and distributing foodgrains in the current quarter without remuneration.

Depot holders point out that commissions, which earlier used to be released within 10 days of the completion of quarterly wheat distribution, are now persistently delayed with no clear timeline of release. The commission for the July to September quarter remains unp...