Thiruvananthapuram: The state cabinet on Tuesday fixed the maximum Attikooli (labour charge) for lifting ration articles from the Food Corporation of India godowns at Rs 750 per load. The cabinet ratified the decision which was reached at a meeting held between the labourers, Civil Supplies Minister P. Thilothaman and Labour Minister T. P. Ramakrishnan on Monday. Sources said that the money for the purpose would be paid from the exchequer. Before the introduction of the National Food Security Act, this was paid by the wholesale dealers.
However, the Act abolished the system of wholesale dealers. As the charge is being paid for the extra work done by the labourers attached to the FCI, the government has decided to seek financial assistance from the centre. The labourers wanted the Attikooli to be Rs 1,200 as they had been receiving Rs 1,600 before the introduction of the Act, sources said. However, the government rejected the demand and fixed Rs 750 as the maximum rate.
