As many as 1,271 outsourced employees at Pt BD Sharma University of Health Sciences, Rohtak (UHSR), may soon be absorbed into the Haryana Kaushal Rozgar Nigam (HKRN), a move that could end the contractor-based employment system at the institution.

The Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER), Haryana, has asked the university to clarify the financial implications of transitioning this entire workforce to HKRN. A comprehensive report has been sought to facilitate a final decision.

Currently, the university pays the wages of these employees — comprising 962 bearers, 55 data entry operators and 254 personnel in other roles —though they are hired through a private outsourcing agency.

The outsourcing firm has come under scrutiny following a complaint from three former outsourced workers, prompting Vice-Chancellor Prof HK Aggarwal to order an inquiry. The complaint, now under investigation, alleges that family members and close associates of some PGIMS officials secured jobs through the agency, raising concerns of nepotism and misuse of official authority.

Further allegations include arbitrary salary deductions, with the firm reportedly marking staff as absent without cause. The probe is being led by Chief Vigilance Officer Dr Kundan Mittal, who also serves as the Medical Superintendent of PGIMS. The matter has also reached the Prime Minister’s Grievances Redressal Portal, which has sought a formal response from the university.

An outsourced employee, requesting anonymity, said workers had staged a strike in January to press for their transition to HKRN. “We were assured then that we would be shifted, but the promise remains unfulfilled,” he said.

He added that shifting to HKRN would end the exploitative contractor system or ‘thekedari pratha’, and secure better working conditions, such as regular leave, timely increments and protection from arbitrary wage cuts.

Sources said the university had earlier urged the state government to open the HKRN portal to enable the onboarding of these employees.

Speaking to The Tribune, Vice-Chancellor Dr HK Aggarwal said, “The university has already recommended the transfer of all eligible outsourced employees to HKRN. We are quite confident that the transition will happen soon.”