Salary and PF issues of outsourced employees: State Govt to probe

Shimla, Mar 18

Himachal Pradesh Government would probe the complaints about non-payment and delay of salaries and provident fund to outsourced employees by their companies and action will be taken against erring firms. This was stated by the Health Minister Rajiv Saizal in the question hours replying to a query of Pawan Nayar on Thursday. The member has raised an important issue, the government would probe the complaints and if any would be found in violation, action would be initiated against such firm.
Saizal said that Jai Ram Government is coming up with model tender documents to address the complaints of employment on outsource basis.  However no roaster is being followed in the outsourced recruitment, added the minister.
” A model tender document is being prepared by the finance department which would overcome all ambiguities and will bring uniformity in outsourcing schemes” Minister said. He said that the Government is following the policy for recruitment of outsourced employees by taking clearance from the finance department prior to issuing of tenders for shortlisting of outsourcing companies.
Replying to a query of Opposition leader Mukesh Agnihotri minister said that outsourced employees are being hired in the government services as per old policies however government is trying to address the complaints to ensure services of the eligible and qualified candidates. The decision of employment on outsource basis was being made by the previous Congress Government, keeping the deteriorating financial position of the state in view it was also being followed by the present government in continuity.

Replying to another supplementary of Rakesh Singha, Minister said that no government authority is approving the recruitment of eligible candidates on outsource basis however the concerned companies are being directed to ensure the qualification and eligibility before hiring the employees. Minister said that there is no provision in the outsource policy to recruit local people by the outsource companies however these firms are bound to provide  eligible, qualified and experienced employees.

Replying to  a query of Col Inder Singh of BJP, Minister said that five companies were shortlisted to post 546 employees under different categories in the Ner Chowk Medical College of Mandi district and most of posts were filled during the peak covid pandemic period last year in month of September to provide the sufficient staff. He said that the government did not interfere in fixing criteria of candidates as the recruitment is being made on an emergency basis due to urgency of employees in the health institutions.
BJP Member Pawan Nayar alleged that outsourcing companies are delaying salaries to their employees in Chamba Medical college and deductions are being made for PF however these companies are trying to violate the PF deposits and other accounts norms.
Member alleged that outsource companies are not supplying information about the employee salaries, deductions and PF in a responsible manner.