Ranchi, Feb. 5: Supply of foodgrains to BPL families for January is likely to resume from tomorrow with the State Food Corporation (SFC) and Ranchi district administration claiming to have convinced agitating godown workers to end their indefinite strike.
The labourers went on the strike towards the end of December last year, demanding revised wages. Earlier, they were paid Rs 2.09 for carrying one bag of foodgrain. The wage was increased to Rs 2.69 per bag in April, 2011. But two transporters reportedly refused to pay the revised wages, arguing that that the particular clause was not mentioned in their contracts. After a series of developments, the labourers called the strike.
"Only supply for the month of January 2012 was affected because of the strike. Now with the SFC reportedly agreeing to pay arrears to the labourers, work may resume from tomorrow. Supply for the month of February will begin after 15 days or so," said senior rationing officer K.K. Thakur.
BPL families figuring in the Centre's "targeted list" are provided 35kg of foodgrains every month at the rate of Re 1 per kg. The government has identified another 11 lakh BPL families, whose names are missing from the Centre's list, who are also given 35kg of foodgrains every month at Re 1 kg and iodised salt for Re 1 per kg.
The cabinet recently approved release of funds for smooth supply of foodgrains to newly identified BPL families in the current fiscal. However, the Arjun Munda government faced criticism from various quarters, as the grains were not reaching PDS outlets because of the strike.
Food and civil supplies minister Mathura Prasad Mahto maintained that his government was committed to strengthen the public distribution system. Talking about future plans, he added that in the next financial year, BPL families would be given dhoti-saree for Rs 10 per piece.
This apart, the new budget is also expected to ensure supply of sugar to all categories of people at subsidised rates.
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