BMS demands enquiry into working of EPFO, ESIC in J&K

BMS leaders during a press conference at Jammu on Wednesday. -Excelsior/Rakesh
BMS leaders during a press conference at Jammu on Wednesday. -Excelsior/Rakesh

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 22: State president of Bhartiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) Ashfaq Ahmed Chohan today demanded enquiry into working of EPFO and ESIC in Jammu and Kashmir.
Addressing a press conference here today, Ashfaq Ahmed Chouhan alleged that the functioning of EPFO and ESIC, which is being run by the Central Government, is very poor and just for media publicity, programmes are organized but in practical no new coverage is being done.
Chouhan said despite written complaints/information, no action is taken on the complaints filed under Section 7-A nor any response is given regarding the complaints while the cases of workers are not approved even after 6 months of applying for PF withdrawal.
While addressing the media, Harbans Choudhary (working president, BMS) also alleged that same is the position of ESIC as no any statuary meeting of ESI Regional Board, Hospital Development Committee or local committee has been called from the last more than 4 years in which employers and employees representatives highlight the problems while poor workers’ medical reimbursement claim worth more than Rs 5 crores are lying pending for last 3-4 years.
Choudhary said that there is no any medicines available in the ESI dispensaries for last more than one year and employees deputed there are also without salary for last more than 6 months but there is nobody to take these issues seriously.
BMS general secretary Neelam Sharma appealed the LG Manoj Sinha to conduct employment survey in the industries as well as road projects just to see the deployment of locals in employment as hundreds of crores are given on the name of incentives to these industries every year.