Sacked PTIs take to labour work, run small shops to eke out living

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Box: 1,983 PTIs appointed in 2010

The district president of the Haryana PTIs Sangharsh Samiti, Sandeep, said as many as 1,983 PTIs were appointed in 2010. The Punjab and Haryana High Court set aside the recruitment in 2011. “Later, a double Bench of the High Court in 2013 and the Supreme Court in 2020 also upheld the verdict. Then, the state government sacked them in June 2020. Since then, they have been staging an indefinite dharna in Rohtak,” he added.

Quote: I do confectionery work during the day and work at a factory at night to earn money. My wife has been under depression since ever I lost my job. I was the only source of income in the house. — Jagroshan

Ravinder Saini

Tribune News Service

Rohtak, July 13

Sacked from their government jobs over a year ago, several physical training instructors (PTIs) have been compelled to do labour work, sell fruits and run small shops to eke out a living as they were unable to secure jobs in the private sector.

Anand, resident of Girawar village in Rohtak, works as a farm labourer while Vijay Duggal, resident of Julana in Jind, works as a construction worker. Narendra of Rohtak sells fruits, Jagroshan of Sampla town works as a confectioner and Satbir runs a grocery shop in Rohtak.

Many others, too, are engaged in similar activities to make both ends meet.

“I am the sole breadwinner in my family. There are seven members in my family — my wife, four daughters, a son and my parents. Everything was going well during my service years but life took a turn after I lost my job during the pandemic. I picked the job as a labourer in the construction business and now earn Rs 350 per day but I hardly get work for even 15 days a month,” said Vijay.

Jagroshan said he worked as a confectioner during the day and at a factory in the nights to earn money. “My wife has been under depression ever since I lost my job. I am the only source of income in the house,” he added.

Satbir, while sharing his story, stated that he had taken a loan of Rs 13 lakh to construct his house over a year ago but was now struggling to repay it.

“I had to open a grocery shop to repay the loan and run my home. My daughter and son are pursuing higher studies, for which I have to pay a hefty fee. The government has left us at the mercy of God. Majority of sacked instructors are above 50 years of age and are not eligible for any government job at this stage,” he added.