HP to regularise work charged staff

Listing out steps for the welfare of the employees and other categories of the workers, Dhumal said the government had ordered the health department to clear all pending medical bills of the industrial workers under employees state insurance. He said the Centre had agreed to a proposal to set up ESI hospital in the industrial area of Baddi-Barotiwala. Nearly Rs 2 crore is likely to be spent on the project.

Chief Minister said steps were being taken to construct employees residential colonies and advised the proprietors of the industrial units to set up residential colonies for themselves as well as their workers in the Himachal areas.

The Chief Minister regretted delay in the construction of police quarters for which the Tenth Finance Commission had provided funds. He said 906 quarters for the employees of the police would be completed by June next year.

The Chief Minister said he had also ordered the restoration of the old wages of the those workers who were affected by the increase in the wages from Rs 45.75 to Rs 51 as they were already getting Rs 54. He said their deductions would be paid with arrears.

The Chief Minister said the government had declared September 17 as public holiday under the Negotiable Instrument Act, but it had been brought to his notice that the workers were not allowed this holiday. Now they would be given overtime if they were not allowed the holiday.

Dhumal lauded the spirit of work culture among the workers owing allegiance to the BMS, who had never stalled the work but made sacrifices to increase production in their units. He also honoured some employee leaders of the confederation for their contribution to the employees’ cause who had suffered during the previous Congress regime. Baldev Sharma, MLA, as president of the Vishal Himachal Taxi Union was presented a shawl to the Chief Minister.

Industries and Labour Minister Kishori Lal speaking on the occasion, reiterated the state government’s resolve to look after the welfare of the working class and referred to the various decisions taken by the state government during last six months.

The industries minister said the government would see that labour advisory committees were set up in the state. Ashok Purohit, working president of state unit of BMS, K L Kapoor, adviser and Balbir Sharma, president also spoke on the occasion.