Ration food grains left unattended in lorry for 5 days following contractor-loaders dispute

Alappuzha: In a case of inept handling, the food grains brought for ration distribution in Alappuzha were left unattended for five days in a lorry following a dispute between a contractor and head-loaders. The incident occurred at Supplyco's NFSA godown in Alappuzha.

The trouble began when head-loaders demanded higher wages to unload food grains from a Taurus lorry, which could carry more than 300 sacks. Normally, the head-loaders are paid Rs 13.50 per quintal for unloading from standard lorries. However, they requested an additional Rs 3.75 per sack for unloading them from the Taurus. The contractor, on the other hand, refused to pay the amount.

As a result, 1,000 sacks of food grains were abandoned in the two Taurus lorries parked at the godown. Workers argued that they had been receiving extra pay for unloading from such large lorries over the past five years, citing the difficulty and time involved in the job.

Civil supplies authorities intervened by convening a meeting between the contractor and workers on Wednesday to resolve the issue as the delay in unloading food grains has affected the distribution of rations as well. 

After the officials promised to hold discussions over unloading and wage hike, the workers agreed to resume work.

The unloading finally commenced in the evening, according to the civil supplies authorities.