Rare unanimity: BJP, Cong legislators join hands on policy for outsourced employees

Legislators in the Vidhan Sabha today rose above political lines and demanded the framing of a policy for outsourced employees, who were getting a meagre salary and facing exploitation at the hands of the contractors.

“A Cabinet subcommittee has been constituted to look into all issues concerning the outsourced employees. We want that the outsourced employees should not be exploited and they should get proper remuneration, besides other benefits,” said Deputy Minister Mukesh Agnihotri while participating in the debate on the issue.

On a Private Member resolution moved by Paonta Sahib MLA Sukh Ram Chaudhary under Rule 101, the House debated the need for bringing a policy for outsourced employees. Eleven MLAs took part in the debate and feeling satisfied with the assurance given the Deputy Chief Minister, Chaudhary withdrew the resolution.

Agnihotri said, “We are committed to regularising the services of SMC teachers, as we have made a commitment to them. The Cabinet sub-committee is already working on protecting the interests of the outsourced employees, who are facing exploitation.”

He said, “The appointment of employees on the outsourced basis started in 2009 and the then BJP government had made all rules. A model tender document was issued which spoke of providing them various benefits. The Cabinet sub-committee is reviewing this document and soon we will come out with a report. We will incorporate all that is in the interest of outsourced employees.”

Chaudhary had moved the Private Member resolution stating that the Himachali youth were being exploited in the name of outsourced appointment and as such a new policy for such employees should be formulated. “The Congress government has terminated the services of a large number of outsourced employees, who had done a commendable job during the Covid pandemic in Health, Electricity Board and other departments. There are 35,000 outsourced employees in Himachal,” he added.

Una MLA Satpal Singh Satti said that the issue of framing a policy for outsourced employees should not be politicised and this decision should be taken unanimously. “Well-educated youth are working with a lot of sincerity and dedication as outsourced employees on just Rs 12,500 salary,” he added.

Churah MLA Hans Raj said that the formulation of a policy for outsourced employees was not a political issue and everyone was sympathetic towards their plight. “It is unfortunate that the services of over 12,000 outsourced employees have been terminated. There are more than six lakh educated unemployed youth in Himachal, so we need to consider the issue seriously,” he added.

Vinod Sultanpuri, Kishori Lal, Vivek Sharma, Hans Raj, ID Lakhanpal, Sudarshan Babloo, Janak Raj, Harish Janartha also took part in the debate.