Matters to be solved as per rules: MD
Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Jan 13: The employees of J&K Handicrafts Corporation (JKHC) who retired voluntarily last year are craving official attention as the concerned Corporation has so far failed in releasing their dues as promised to them under Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS)
A delegation of these retired employees approached Excelsior and said that they were promised one-go payment at the time of retirement; however, as per them, they are still struggling to get their rightful dues.
Around 30 such employees of the J&K Handicrafts Corporation-with 6-10 years of service-availed the VRS in February 2021 and went ahead with the retirement, however, since then, they said, nothing has been done for them even as they continue to face hardships.
To press for their demands, the retired employees had even staged a protest, but to avail, and in turn, they said, their increment file was also stopped by the Corporation on the pretext of ‘Norm Violation’.
“As of now we have not been given the leave salary as we are entitled to the same as per the VRS; our salary is pending even our CP Fund for at least 31 months has not been released so far,” the members of the delegation said.
Under VRS, the retiring employees are entitled to several benefits including 45 days salary for each completed year of service or monthly emoluments at the time of retirement.
They said that they are facing several issues due to the non-payment of their rightful dues while the official apathy, they said, has been taking a toll on them.
“We have been meeting the officials, but nothing has happened so far; even as we were promised that we will be given one-go payment at the time of retirement, but that was a hollow promise which couldn’t hold the ground,” the delegations said.
Another member of the delegation said that her family begged the officials to release some of the dues at the time of her illness, “but nothing melted them as the officials continued with their callousness,” she said.
The retired employees said that they also met the Principal Secretary of Industries and Commerce Department, “but nothing came out of that too,” they said.
When contacted, Managing Director, J&K Handicrafts Corporation Hashmat Ali Yatoo told Excelsior that some of the matters in this regard have already been resolved while some are in the pipeline. “As per the application of the rules we are resolving the issues,” he said.
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