SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Oct 17: The Fertilizer Corporation India Limited’s (FCIL) Sindri unit has finally decided to give its 8,500 quarters to its retired/VSS employees and their dependents on commercial rent leases.
In this regard, VK Choudhary, FCI Sindri unit in-charge has issued a notification for giving quarters on an 11-month lease to authorized occupants on commercial rent.
Choudhary, in a circular, has said that considering the request of ex-employees and others with a view to regularising unauthorized occupancy of FCIL quarters, the management has decided to give it on a commercial rent basis at Sindri Township. The scheme will remain open up to December 30, 2023.
FCI Sindri plant, which was shut down in December 2002, has a total of 8,500 quarters in the Sindri township. Around 1400 to 1500 quarters were given on an 11-month lease to retired VSS employees and their dependents.
However, unauthorised persons illegally captured around 7000 quarters of the public sector company and constructed buildings on its land illegally.
The All India FCI VSS Employees Association had been demanding fixing the quarter policy of FCI and giving it on a long-term period to retired and VSS employees/ their dependents in place of an 11-month lease.
In August 2023, the All India FCI VSS Employees Association sent a memorandum to the Secretary of the Ministry of Chemical and Fertilizer Department, Government of India for adopting a policy on quarters in Sindri and giving on a long-term lease.
“The All India FCI VSS Employees Association welcomes the circular of the FCI management but the lease period should be more than 11 months and service providers should be exempted from commercial rent,” said Sardar Sewa Singh, president of the Association who has been battling for it (giving quarter on lease for a long time).
