Biplab Kr Dey
Tura, Oct 13: Chaos has set into the Public Distribution System (PDS) over unpaid dues that have been pending since the past few months by the contractors who have been tasked with unloading/loading at the Mendipathar Rake point in North Garo Hills.
The Mendipathar railway station has since the past 2 years or so been the nodal point for the arrival of rice into the state under the PDS system. The unloading and loading for distribution to 4 districts have been entrusted to two contractors, who allegedly have been withdrawing the bills from the railways office but have only intermittently released payments to truck drivers/owners and even labourers.
The two contractors embroiled in the case are one Mahipal Yadav (under the name of Arjun Nongrum) and Abhijeet Dutta (RS Contractors). While Yadav is taking care of West Khasi Hills and West Garo Hills, Dutta handles the districts of East and South Garo Hills.
Earlier a CSO from the region, Achik Dedicated Integrity Leaders (ADIL) had raised the matter of non clearance of dues to the office of the Prime Minister as well as the central leadership, seeking an end to the crisis that has struck the various FCI godowns over bills. Currently there is an ongoing labour strike in the districts of WGH, EGH, WKH and even SGH over the matter and this has had an impact in the entire system of distribution of rice to various locations.
“What is exasperating is that they are claiming that their bills are not being cleared whereas official sources have confirmed that the money has already been paid to them. This matter needs to be fully investigated as we feel something shady is going on which is why they are still being allowed to carry on the contract without flinching. In fact both the contractors are not even present in Mendipathar when rakes loaded with rice reach,” said Francis Marak, the ADIL president.
Earlier the matter was also raised by a conglomeration of PDS wholesalers with the deputy commissioners of the 4 affected districts.
As per the complaint the PDS wholesalers highlighted their plight at the disputes that have been ongoing between the carriage contractors and labourers/truckers which was impacting their operation of distribution.
According to sources, labourers have been repeatedly going on strikes over their wages and treatment at the hands of the contractors.
“Instead of addressing these grievances in time, the matter is allowed to escalate repeatedly, causing endless trouble for all the dependents, particularly the wholesalers and the public,” said a wholesaler.
The wholesalers stated that every time the labourers went on strike, their trucks which reach Mendipathar to receive goods are stuck for 2-3 days in the same place, causing huge financial losses. With the railways management staying completely silent on the disruptions, the matter was getting out of hand.
“It is important to point out that the carriage contractor, being entrusted with the responsibility of labour and transportation management, has consistently failed to discharge his duties properly. Instead of ensuring smooth functioning, his inability to resolve issues with labourers has created a cycle of disputes, strikes, and disruptions,” they added.
The wholesalers have sought immediate action against the carriage contractor for failing in his responsibilities. They also asked for directions from the authorities to ensure uninterrupted loading and unloading of PDS rice, even if alternative arrangements are required.
They also sought a mechanism to protect wholesalers from repeated financial losses arising solely due to the negligence of the carriage contractor and steps to ensure that such disputes do not reoccur, as the PDS is an essential service and cannot be left at the mercy of individual contractors.
