Ministers’ panel seeks details of all contractual staff
CHANDIGARH: A committee of three cabinet ministers formed to look into regularisation of contractual staff in the state has sought details of such employees working in various departments, boards and corporations.
The process, seen as populist by many, has been initiated keeping in view the upcoming parliamentary polls so that the government could placate its employees as it is under pressure from the protesting staff demanding regularisation.
In certain departments, employees working for 7 to 10 years have been protesting for the last couple of years seeking regular jobs. Though the process for regularisation has begun, it may finally see the light of day before the 2022 assembly polls in Punjab, it was learnt.
In a meeting held last week, which was chaired by health and family planning minister Brahm Mohindra, it was also decided to find out the financial burden of the move on the state exchequer besides the legal implications, if any. Besides Mohindra, two other ministers are Manpreet Singh Badal (finance) and Charanjit Singh Channi (technical education).
The meeting was attended by Channi, chief secretary Karan Avtar Singh, secretary (personnel) AS Miglani and special secretary (finance) Arun Sekhri.
After the government put a bar on regular appointments, many of its departments are functioning with employees hired on contractual basis or outsourced from private agencies.
As per an estimate, there are 37,000 such employees with the departments of irrigation, health, education, local bodies, public works and transport having a large number of them.
After the committee found the data received from different departments incomplete, it asked them to recompile the same besides directing the boards and corporations to send details of such employees by February 15.
The government is likely to replace the Punjab Ad Hoc Contractual, Daily Wagers, Temporary, Work Charged and Outsourced Employees Welfare Act, 2016, passed during the Akalibjp government ahead of the 2017 assembly polls. The act was challenged in the Punjab and Haryana high court. LUDHIANA: A seat that saw a fourcornered contest in 2014, is set for a triangular show this time. Traditionally a Congress stronghold, Ludhiana Lok Sabha seat has always seen a keen contest, mostly between the Congress and the Akali Dal. In 2014, however, Congress candidate Ravneet Singh Bittu won the elections, defeating Aam Aadmi Party’s HS Phoolka, while Akali Dal’s Manpreet Singh Ayali and independent Simarjeet Singh Bains stood third and fourth, respectively. Phoolka has quit active politics since and AAP lacks a prominent face this time.
Bains, who had secured over 2-lakh votes in 2014 parliamentary polls, has formed Lok Insaaf Party and is an MLA from Atam Nagar. He has joined hands with the Punjab Democratic Alliance (PDA) that includes Sukhpal Khaira’s Punjabi Ekta Party, Ranjit Singh Brahmpura-led Shiromani Akali Dal (Taksali) and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP).
Insiders say that two-time MLA from Atam Nagar constituency, Bains will throw the hat in theringandcontesttheloksabha polls.“bainshasalwaysbeenvery ambitious. He’s PDA’S sure shot candidate from Ludhiana,” said a political leader on request of anonymity.
ALSO ASKS THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT TO ASSESS FINANCIAL BURDEN OF THE MOVE ON STATE EXCHEQUER BESIDES LEGAL IMPLICATIONS, IF ANY
Bains, however, didn’t share his plans, saying, “I will do what my party asks me to.”
Sitting MP Ravneet Singh Bittu, the grandson of former Punjab chief minister Beant Singh, has become active in the constituency as the polls are approaching and is attending public functions on daily basis. He is counting on the works done during his five-year tenure.
Bittu, as a Congress insider revealed, is relaxed over the party ticket after his rival, former MP Manish Tewari, applied for the ticket from Chandigarh. Bittu loyalists are hopeful of the party ticket. However, Tewari loyalists have also been suggesting that party chief Rahul Gandhi is keen on fielding a Hindu face from Ludhiana.
A section in the Congress feels that in case Tewari fails to get the Congress ticket from Chandigarh, Ludhiana will be his second choice. Bittu, on the other hand, says he wouldn’t contest from any seat other than Ludhiana.
Shiromani Akali Dal most likely will field former adviser to the chief minister and senior leader Maheshinder Singh Grewal. “If the party wants to field me, then why not?” said Grewal, who has also become active at public events.
Sources said Sahnewal MLA Sharanjit Singh Dhillon, who is close to former CM Parkash Singh Badal and has represented the seat in the past, could also be a formidable candidate. Dhillon, however, said he is happy being an MLA.
Speculations are rife that SAD and BJP may swap Ludhiana and Amritsar segments this time. In case the seat goes to the BJP, the party will have to look for a suitable candidate.
From AAP, district president Daljit Singh Grewal is in the race for the ticket. In 2014, AAP candidate HS Phoolka had secured over 2.6-lakh votes and he was next only to winner Ravneet Singh Bittu.