Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 19: In a petition filed by daily wagers of PHE Department, who have not been paid their dues, High Court today directed the Chief Secretary to convene meeting of the concerned authorities and resolve the issue.
After hearing Senior Advocate RK Gupta with Advocate Udhay Bhaskar for the petitioners, Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur observed, “from the response filed by the respondents, it appears that the factum of their continuing as daily wagers is not denied. However, what is stated is that they have approached the Administrative Department for release of funds”, adding “considering the plight of the daily wagers, the issue does not deserve any further delay”.
“According to the past experience the issues like seeking approval, consulting the Administrative Department etc consumes a lot of time, therefore, in the facts and circumstances of the present case, it is deemed appropriate to associate the Chief Secretary to convene a meeting in the matter along with Finance Secretary as also the Commissioner/Secretary to Government, Public Health & Engineering Department”, High Court said and hoped that the Chief Secretary would ensure that funds are made available to the department so that the same can be given to the petitioners.
“Let a decision by taken within a period of two weeks. Compliance report be filed by the Chief Secretary in this regard positively on or before the next date of hearing”, High Court said.