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FCI Staff Agitation Paused After Talks; Union Says Protest Not Withdrawn

The Food Corporation of India employees' union has put its nationwide 'Black Fortnight' agitation on hold following discussions with management. The union clarified the protest is not withdrawn but paused to allow for a bilateral meeting scheduled for the end of the month. Key issues include pending staff strength audits, proposed cadre restructuring, and demands for hotel facilities for lower-category employees. The union has stated it will resume the agitation if the upcoming meeting fails to deliver concrete resolutions.

Key Points: FCI Employee Agitation Put on Hold After Management Talks

  • Agitation paused for bilateral talks
  • Hotel facilities issue to be resolved in a month
  • Protest to resume if issues unresolved
  • Demands include staff audit consultation
2 min read

FCI agitation put on hold after talks; Union clarifies protest not withdrawn

FCI union puts 'Black Fortnight' protest on hold after talks with management. Issues include staff audit, cadre restructuring, and pending demands.

"the protest would not be withdrawn until concrete resolutions were achieved - Zaheer Ahmad"

New Delhi, February 16

The ongoing agitation by employees of the Food Corporation of India, led by the Bhartiya Khadya Nigam Karamchari Sangh, the sole recognised union in FCI, has been put on hold following a joint discussion held before the Deputy Chief Labour Commissioner, New Delhi on Monday.

During the meeting, the union and FCI management held detailed discussions on several long-pending employee issues. On behalf of the union, the National President and General Secretary of NEC BKNKS, along with other office bearers of the NEC and Zonal Secretaries from all five zones, were present during the proceedings.

The management assured that the issue of hotel facilities for Category III and IV employees would be resolved within one month.

Zaheer Ahmad, General Secretary of BKNKS, said the management had requested the union to withdraw the agitation. However, the union made it clear that the protest would not be withdrawn until concrete resolutions were achieved.

He stated that, to facilitate continued dialogue and give management an opportunity to address the concerns, the union has agreed to put the agitation programme on hold until the proposed bilateral meeting.

Management also expressed its willingness to hold a detailed bilateral meeting with the union by the end of this month to resolve pending matters. The union welcomed the initiative and expressed hope for a positive and time-bound outcome.

Ahmad further stated that if the issues remain unresolved in the proposed meeting, the agitation will be resumed in accordance with the notice issued on February 9.

Earlier, the Bhartiya Khadya Nigam Karamchari Sangh (BKNKS) launched a nationwide "Black Fortnight" protest from February 10 to 23, voicing strong objection to delays and alleged arbitrariness by the EP Division in addressing long-pending workmen-related matters.

They conducted demonstrations at the FCI Regional Office in Vibhuti Khand, Gomti Nagar, and across all FCI offices and depots nationwide, led by the union's General Secretary.

The union highlighted concerns over the staff strength audit and cadre restructuring being undertaken without proper consultation, the proposed abolition of the stenographer cadre, and unequal enhancement of sanctioned strength.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
This is a classic case. The union is right not to withdraw the protest completely. "Put on hold" is the correct strategy. In India, assurances are given easily but implementation takes forever. The threat of resuming agitation is necessary to keep the pressure on. Solidarity with the workers!
V
Vikram M
FCI handles our nation's food security. Internal issues like cadre restructuring and staff audits without consultation can demoralize the workforce. How can we expect efficient management of food stocks if employee concerns are sidelined? The bilateral meeting by month-end must deliver concrete results. Jai Hind.
P
Priya S
Abolishing the stenographer cadre? That seems like a step backwards in a digital age where proper documentation and communication are still vital. Hope the union fights this. Also, unequal enhancement of sanctioned strength sounds like unfair practice. Management needs to be more transparent.
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Aman W
Respectfully, while I support workers' rights, constant agitations in PSUs affect public services. The "Black Fortnight" protest at all offices nationwide must have disrupted work. I hope both sides find a permanent solution. Dialogue is good, but it should have happened before the protest notice was issued.
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Kavya N
My uncle works in FCI. He says these issues of audit and restructuring have been pending for years. The EP Division's alleged arbitrariness is the real problem. Putting the protest on hold is a tactical move. The union has shown strength. Now the ball is in management's court. 💪

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