By ARUN PRATAP SINGH
DEHRADUN, 10 May: A unity support seminar of the Prantiya Rakshak Dal (PRD) Welfare Organisation was held on Saturday under the leadership of State Convenor Pramod Mandrawal. The meeting was chaired by State Convenor Secretary Sanjay Singh Panwar. Several other organisations extended their full support to PRD soldiers, including State president of Uttarakhand Aandolankari Manch Jagmohan Singh Negi, State president of Employees’ Aandolankari Joint Council Santan Singh Rawat, State president of Advocate and INTUC Pankaj Chhetri, president of Cell on Ex-Servicemen Rakesh Dhyani, State vice-president of Bhim Army Geeta Ram Jaiswal, State president of Scheduled Castes and Tribes Youth Congress Vikas Chauhan, and General Secretary of Employees’ Joint Council Shakti Bhatt.
It may be recalled that PRD has been demanding facilities and regularisation of their services. The organisations collectively voiced their support for PRD soldiers and issued a two-month ultimatum to the government through media. They warned that if the government fails to take positive action on the demands of PRD soldiers within this period, all organisations will launch a fierce agitation on the streets. A large number of PRD soldiers, including male personnel, were present at the seminar.
It may be recalled that PRD’s major demands include replacement of the word Volunteer (Swayamsewak) by employee (Karmi). In addition to a persistent demand of regularisation of the services of PRD volunteers, some other major demands include ex gratia payment of Rs 10 lakh on retirement or death during active years of service. Other major demand is grant of facilities like Employees State Insurance Scheme (ESI), TA and DA and ELCA.
It may also recalled that the Prantiya Rakshak Dal (PRD) soldiers have been actively raising their demands before the Uttarakhand government. A recent awareness meeting in Dehradun saw PRD representatives strongly advocating for their rights, emphasising that the PRD department is a permanent entity, yet their demands continue to be overlooked.
One of the key demands is the recognition of PRD soldiers on par with other security forces like Home Guards, ensuring better service conditions and benefits. Additionally, the government has recently approved amendments to the PRD Act, which include provisions for maternity leave for women personnel and adjustments in service tenure, allowing PRD soldiers to serve until the age of 60.
In a significant development, the Uttarakhand government has also increased the daily honorarium of PRD soldiers by Rs 80, raising it from Rs 570 to Rs 650 per day. Despite these changes, PRD representatives continue to push for further improvements in their working conditions and benefits.
