Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 9: Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA), Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali today instructed concerned officers to prepare a proposal for revising loading and unloading rates of gunny bags to Rs 2.65 per bag and replacing labourers above 65 years of age by their legal heir.
The Minister issued these instructions after holding a meeting with Labor Union representatives of FCS&CA, who apprised the Minister of various issues.
After giving a patient hearing to the representatives, the Minister issued directions to concerned officers to make a proposal to revise loading and unloading rates of gunny bags falling in range of 49 to 80 kg from Rs 2.22 per bag to Rs. 2.65 per bag.
During the meeting, the Minister also directed that from now on the increment for loading and unloading of the bags should be done every year on April as per price index.
Besides, the Minister also directed that the labourers above the 65 years of age should be replaced by their legal heir. And those who fall in between 60 to 65 years of age bar would serve as Head Labour.
Addressing the labor representatives present in the meeting, Zulfkar Ali said the Government sees the labourers working for the department as an important pillar without whom serving people would be extremely difficult.
Stressing on timely payment to the labourers, the Minister directed to ensure that wages of FCS&CA laborers get released before 10th of every month so that they do not face any kind of financial difficulty.
Besides, Zulfkar Ali said the Government would ensure that only those who work will get paid, while those found absent would be relieved from their duties.
Meanwhile, a deputation of All India Fair Price Shop Dealers Association today called on Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali.
While addressing the dealers, the Minister said the step was taken to bring transparency in the system by providing enhanced commission to dealers, adding that, meager commission was encouraging pilferages which was a serious matter and needed to be rectified.
The Minister said the Government is committed to provide better livelihood to the ration dealers besides keeping a check on pilferages. If the Government will provide proper commission to the dealers, they will not indulge in black marketing, he added.
He appealed the dealers to come forward and help the department in making the ration distribution system transparent. Strict action would be taken against those dealers who are found indulging in unlawful practices, he stressed.
Pertinent to mention that according to a Government order No. 196/FCSCA of 2016, the commission of fair price shop dealers has been enhanced from Rs 50 per quintal to Rs 143 per quintal.
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