By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The employees of the Food Corporation of India (FCI), Meghalaya have expressed disappointment over the failure on the part of the corporation authorities as well as the Food Ministry in resolving their legitimate demands.
In response to this adamant attitude of the management, the employees of FCI in Shillong joined the employees from the rest of the country in observing a day-long fast and dharna before all Zonal and Regional Offices.
The sit-in demonstration was held at the FCI regional office at Dhankheti here on Thursday.
The two unions — Bhartiya Khadya Nigam India Karamchari Sangh National Committee (BKNIKSNC) and the Food Corporation of Executive Staff Union Central Committee (FCESUCC) which represent almost 95 per cent of the total workforce at FCI — had tried to invite the attention of the FCI management and Food Ministry, but to no avail.
Meanwhile, talking to reporters on Thursday, the regional secretary of the BKNIKSNC, Anango Mohan Paul mentioned that the set of demands include a separate regional office and a ‘local’ regional officer in Meghalaya
The other demands include special recruitments (Zonal) from amongst the local candidates. “If this demand is met, it will not only make the working sphere better but also it will generate employment opportunities for the local youth”, he added.
Stating that there are two district officers in the state, the union informed that a different district officer for Garo Hills is required.
It was learnt that at present there are five godowns in the state-Shillong, Khanapara, Tura, Jowai, Williamnagar. One at Nongstoin is still under construction. “There is also a need to develop the infrastructures like roads because most of the stocks are transported to other districts via road right from Guwahati (Changsari Railways)”, Paul mentioned.
The employees have also decided to work only from 10 am to 5.30 pm unlike their usual timing where they had to work till 8pm. “If this boycott continues, there will be inefficiency in the work which will hamper the supply and distribution of food items”, he added.
The agitation has been going on since October 14 which will culminate on November 19.
