Jamshedpur MP urges Union Minister to revoke transfer of FCI workers

Jamshedpur: In a crucial meeting today, Jamshedpur MP Bidyut Baran Mahto met Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Fertilizers, and Public Distribution, Prahlad Joshi, to discuss the abrupt transfer of 179 departmental workers from the Food Corporation of India (FCI) Food Storage Depot in Jamshedpur. The MP strongly urged the Union Minister to immediately revoke the transfer order and conduct a comprehensive investigation into the matter.

The workers, including Sardars, Mandals, Head Shramiks, and Sahayak Shramiks, were suddenly transferred to Jasidih and Dhanbad on October 7, 2023, despite ample work availability at the Jamshedpur warehouse. Additionally, the transferred workers were dismissed from their current roles, and the warehouse operations were handed over to private contractors, raising concerns about procedural violations and financial inefficiencies.

MP Mahto emphasized the severe impact on the affected workers, many of whom have long-standing ties to Jamshedpur. The decision has disrupted the education of workers’ children and uprooted families. Several employees, nearing retirement, have been forced to consider voluntary retirement due to the distress caused by the transfer.

Highlighting the financial loss to the FCI caused by outsourcing the work to contractors, Mahto called for accountability, stating, “The interests of the workers and rules have been completely ignored. This arbitrary action must be investigated and rectified to ensure justice for the workers.”

Mahto presented a detailed letter (No. 151/1/2024, dated February 8, 2024) to the Union Minister, urging the cancellation of the transfer order (Reference No. FCI/FSD/SR/IRL/2022-23/09) and the reinstatement of all 179 workers to Jamshedpur.

Taking the matter seriously, Union Minister Prahlad Joshi assured MP Mahto that he would take prompt and concrete action to address the grievances.