By Arun Pratap Singh
Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 12 May: Official sources have claimed that the state government is considering a major revision in the cut-off date for extending the benefit of “equal pay for equal work” to employees appointed through the Uttarakhand Purva Sainik Kalyan Nigam Limited (UPNL). According to the sources from within the government, the existing cut-off year of 2018 is likely to be extended up to 2024, a move that is certain to bring thousands of additional UPNL employees under the ambit of the revised pay structure.
Sources added that the exercise in this direction has gathered momentum following a recent hearing in the Uttarakhand High Court regarding issues related to UPNL employees. During the proceedings, the government was reportedly asked to clarify its stand concerning the cut-off date and the eligibility of employees who completed the prescribed service period after 2018. The government reportedly could not give a satisfactory response regarding the basis of its cut-off date fixed for 2018.
It may be recalled that, at present, more than 20,000 UPNL personnel are serving in various government departments across Uttarakhand as outsourced staff. These employees, appointed through the UPNL have long been demanding salary parity with regular employees working on equivalent posts in government departments.
The state government had already taken a policy decision to provide such employees salaries and dearness allowance equivalent to those being paid to regular employees working on similar posts. A revised government order in this regard had also been issued earlier.
According to the order issued by the government, only those UPNL employees who had completed ten years of continuous service through UPNL by 12 November, 2018, were brought under the ambit of the scheme. In the first phase, benefits were proposed to be extended to employees appointed before January 1, 2018 and still in service, while remaining employees were to be included gradually in subsequent phases.
However, the fixed cut-off date became a major point of contention among UPNL employees. A substantial number of workers have completed or are in the process of completing ten years of service after 2018 and were demanding that they too should be covered under the equal pay arrangement. The issue was repeatedly raised by employee groups and also figured prominently during the recent High Court hearing.
Following these developments, the government is now seriously examining the possibility of extending the cut-off date. Sources indicate that the Sainik Welfare Department is currently assessing the likely financial burden on the state exchequer along with department-wise data regarding the number of eligible employees.
If the cut-off date is extended till 2024, thousands of additional UPNL personnel are expected to become eligible for salary parity benefits. Secretary, Sainik Welfare, Yugal Kishore Pant, confirmed that the matter is under serious consideration by the government.
Meanwhile, another important development concerning UPNL employees is also expected shortly. The earlier contract format issued by the government had drawn strong opposition from employees, following which a revised agreement is now being prepared.
According to indications, the new contract document may abolish categories such as semi-skilled, skilled and officer-level classifications. Instead, the revised arrangement is likely to ensure that UPNL employees receive salary strictly according to the post on which they are actually deployed.
The proposed agreement is also expected to include safeguards against unilateral action by departments and may provide employees with the right to appeal in case of disputes or adverse decisions. Sources also stated that the revised contract document may be formally issued by the government soon.
