Shillong, Oct 30: At the time when Food Corporation of India (FCI), which is gearing up for the implementation of the National Food Security Act, the employees of FCI are renewing their agitation programme which had begun on October 17.
In this regard the day-long ‘Dharna’ was observed in all the regional offices in the entire nation by the employees union following the failure on the part of government and the FCI management towards fulfilling their long pending demands.
The officer and staff of Food Corporation of India under the banner of Bharatiya Khadya Nigam Karmachari Sangh and FCI Executive Staff Union in a joint forum has started its agitation programme by wearing of back badges and lunch Hour Demonstration on October 17th.
Speaking to reporter, members FCI and BKNKS said that the dharna is being observed in the entire nation to mark their protest against the conceited attitude of the government.
The union is constrained to opt for democratic means because of the attitude of the concern ministry.
“In our recent meetings in the centre, the Ministry of Food and Finance had assured to deal with the matter, but so far nothing has been achieved,” the collective union felt.
It can be mentioned that, the unions have submitted a charter of demands to the government which are still pending.
“The unions would be constrained to intensify their agitation programmes if the FCI management and government still persist with its indifferent attitude,” they felt.
The Agitation is against the Non fulfillment of the various long pending demand of the Corporation employee by the Management of FCI and the Central Govt.
The agitation continues in phase manner in all the work places of FCI. The main demands are New Pension Scheme, Assured Career Progression, Fringe benefit to the Category Cat–III & IV employees and other welfare schemes.
“Category 1 and category 2 are enjoying the Fringe benefit but category 3 and category 4 and not getting this, there is discrimination,” a FCI employee said.
Employees also complained about shortage of man power and demanded for new recruitment.
“This is revival agitation earlier Ministry of food has called us for dialogue but it has failed, during dialogue we postpone the agitation but one year later we have resumed back,” FCI employee said.
The agitational programme which started on Oct 17 in the form of a nation-wide demand day by wearing black badges, was followed with a lunch hour demonstration at all work place throughout the country and day-long dharna at all district offices on Oct 23.
FCI staff will observe a three-day fast at the residence of Prof KV Thomas, Union Minister for Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution, from Nov 19 to 21.(SP News)
