Compassionate Employment Association demands swift action on job appointments
The Compassionate Employment Association has urged the Himachal Pradesh government to take immediate action on the long-pending issue of compassionate job appointments, instead of offering mere assurances and delaying the process with endless dates.
Addressing a press conference at Chamba, Association’s district president Ravindra Attri, who was accompanied by other office-bearers, criticised the government for failing to provide a concrete policy for compassionate employment despite being in power for over two years.
He pointed out that while a committee was formed under Education Minister Rohit Thakur’s leadership, no decision has been made, leaving bereaved families in distress. He accused the administration of continuously postponing justice by offering new dates instead of real solutions.
The association president highlighted the plight of families who lost their sole breadwinners and have been waiting for jobs under the compassionate appointment policy for 15 to 20 years. Many have endured immense hardship due to the delay, with some even losing additional family members in the process. Attri questioned why government employees’ families, who have contributed to the state’s development, are being ignored when political representatives receive immediate elections upon their demise.
He also criticised the state’s approach to economic eligibility, arguing that while families earning Rs 14–15 lakh annually benefit from government policies, those earning just Rs 1.5–2 lakh are left with nothing but delays. They demanded the removal of the Rs 62,500 annual income condition for eligibility and an increase in the income limit to at least Rs 2.5 lakh.
Additionally, the association called for the immediate revocation of a 2022 finance department notification that rejected several cases, arguing that all rejected cases should be reconsidered. They urged the government to remove the 5% reservation cap on compassionate appointments, allowing all eligible families to receive jobs under a one-time relaxation policy. If vacancies are unavailable in certain departments, they demanded that cases be shifted to other departments, boards, corporations, or universities to ensure employment.
The association insisted that once the policy amendments are finalised, appointments should be made purely based on the date of the deceased employee’s passing, ensuring fairness without discrimination. They reminded the government that during elections, political leaders had promised a one-time settlement for all affected families, yet those commitments remain unfulfilled.
Expressing their frustration, the association emphasised that families have been waiting for decades for justice, with successive governments making promises but failing to implement real change. They urged the state government to act swiftly, finalise policy changes and grant jobs without further delay.