SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, July 19: The All India Fertilizer Corporation of India (FCI) VSS Employees Association has shot off a letter to the Union Chemical and Fertilizer Minister for extending the lease of quarters to the FCI Sindri ex-staff on a long-term basis.
Association’s national president Sardar Sewa Singh, in a letter to the Union Minister, sent on Tuesday, has said that at present ex-employees, VSS staff are being given quarters on temporary leases of 11 months under central government terms and conditions which causes sheer problems in renewal.
“So, kindly make the lease period at least for 33 years period in the interest of VSS and retired employees as well as the government of India,” he said.
The FCI Sindri unit shut down on December 2, 2002. Over 1400 VSS/retired employees were given quarters on 11 months’ lease on government terms and conditions.
Now, even though a new fertilizer plant ( HURL) has come in place of FCI Sindri, quarters are still vacant and some of them have been occupied by unauthorised persons.
Sardar Sewa Singh has pointed out that most of the old quarters have been in a dilapidated condition in lack of timely maintenance. “Since residents have only 11 months lease of quarter, they are apprehensive to spend on repairs,” he added.
“If a quarter is given on 33 years of lease, age-old VSS/ex-employees would not only get rid of harassment of making rounds of FCI office for renewal but also get the quarter repaired,” said Sardar Sewa Singh.
The All India Fertilizer Corporation of India VSS Employees Association had sent a similar proposal to Union Minister earlier but did not get a response.
