Ration supply stalled as CAPD workers go on strike in J

Jammu, Apr 2 (UNI) In a move to press for their demands, the handing labourers of Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CAPD) department today went on an indefinite 'Kaamchhor Hartal', stalling ration supplies in the entire Jammu and Kashmir.

On a strike call given by the Food and Allied Workers Union (FAWU), all 367 workers (171 at Jammu and 196 at Srinagar) employed under minimum guarantee wages (MGW) and over 700 others (not under MGW) working in CAPD depots at tehsil and district headquarters, have stopped loading and unloading of ration, union's general secretary Anil Sharma told UNI.

''We are demanding the revision of wages and also the allowances as applicable to the FCI (Food Corporation of India) employees,'' he said.

The strike would continue till the demands of workers are addressed, Mr Sharma asserted.

Under MGW, workers are paid Rs 54 per day, besides Rs 1.33 per quintal of ration, loaded or unloaded. ''The wages are too little to survive these days. However, these (wages) have not been revised since 1996,'' Mr Sharma disclosed.

The strike of workers, if continues, will lead to an acute shortage of ration in government stores in the state.

When contacted, CAPD Deputy Director R K Sodhi said, ''We are trying to persuade workers so that consumers do not suffer.'' UNI