FPS agents storm Ukhrul DC office over unpaid transport, margin money
Source: Chronicle News Service / R Lester Mamang
Ukhrul, February 10 2023:
Chaos erupted at Ukhrul's mini secretariat on Friday after a large number of FPS agents of Ukhrul, Phungyar and Chingai assembly constituencies stormed the deputy commissioner's office over the prolonged negligence of their demands for the release of margin money and transport costs.
Around 10:30 am, dozens of agitated FPS agents swarmed the corridor leading to the DC office, and shouted slogans demanding release of their long-pending margin money and transport costs.
They refused to back off until their demands were fulfilled.
The agitators contended that for the past three months, they repeatedly petitioned to the DC and Ukhrul district supply officer (DSO) for redressal of their grievances pertaining to non-disbursal of their margin money and transport cost pending for the last 8/9 months.
However, nothing positive has come forth from their repeated apprisal till date.
They demanded that the district administration release the pending margin money and also reimburse the transport costs incurred by them while transporting the food grain to the people for the last 8/9 months.
The situation almost, turned violent as the district administration failed to give a swift response to their demands even as the agitated crowd demanded immediate assurance.
However, timely intervention by Ukhrul SP Ningsem Vashum brought the situation under control.
Subsequently a closed door meeting was hurriedly convened in the presence of DC Krishna Kumar, ADC Chunglenmang and SDO Suranjoy inside the DC's office with the representatives of the FPS agents.
However, DSO was not available as he was stated to be out of station, which is said to be a common occurrence on most working days.
During the meeting, DC Krishna assured the aggrieved FPS agents that file process for the margin money would be completed and submitted to the director of CAF&PD for necessary action latest by February 27 and for the transport costs, the district administration would pursue the matter with the director at the earliest.
Interacting with the media persons after the agitation, the FPS agents said that they have been struggling to sustain their services and are now finding it difficult to make ends meet due to the non-release of the funds for an extended period.
They further contended that the transport contractor namely Yamba from PK Enterprises has never shown up and demanded that he should be available at the time of lifting of food grain each month.
The agents cautioned that they would intensify their agitation if the district administration fails to translate the assurance within the agreed time frame.