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KRISHNA MAHATO
SKG LTD., KANDRA
Q: I had sent two fax messages to your office on July 16 and September 13 this year, seeking your intervention to settle the dues of the workers at Seraikella Glass Works Ltd, Kandra. But we received no acknowledgement from your office. Is the government in a position to do something or should we stop hoping for a solution?
A: I have got the matter investigated by the deputy commissioner, Seraikela–Kharsawan, who submitted a detailed report on October 21, 2003. It is learnt that the owner of the unit, Shri Rammurty Vasney, who is at present residing at 41, Hazra Road, Calcutta-19, closed the unit in 1994, on the pretext of incurring losses. The unit had around 2,000 employees, of whom 849 were on the payroll. The remaining were working as contract labourers. The management subsequently went on reducing employees in phases giving assurances that their outstanding dues would be paid in the form of salaries, gratuity etc. They even promised to pay half salary to the permanent staff even after closure of the unit. But none of the promises was fulfilled by them. On December 27, 2002, the BIFR declared the company a sick unit. According to the report of the deputy commissioner, the management closed down the unit because of its own internal disputes and not for incurring losses as claimed by it. It is also pertinent to state that there are also a few cases pending in different courts against the company.
I am forwarding the report submitted by the deputy commissioner to the labour department to look into the matter immediately and take steps deemed fit.
A.K. SANDWAR
BARTAND, DHANBAD
Q: We, the residents of Madhuri Palace, situated north of the combined office building junction towards Bartand Road, are forced to put up with shrill horns used by vehicles 24 hours, mainly buses and trucks.
The locality has several educational institutions and also the Jalan Memorial Trust Hospital. Is it too much to expect the Dhanbad deputy commissioner to ensure a “No Horn Zone” in the area?
The area is also accident-prone but does not have either a Zebra Crossing or speed-breakers to slow down vehicles. These measures surely do not cost much money?
A: The reply could not be provided as the report is awaited from the Dhanbad deputy commissioner.
SHIV PRASANNA PANDEY
SEWAYAT,JAMSHEDPUR
Q: I am the priest at Sri Din Bandhu Shiv Mandir & Mahavir Mandir, located at Telco Gate No. 2, Jamshedpur. This temple is 60 years old and from the beginning, Telco had provided both electricity and water. But in December 1999, the company disconnected electricity supply. Though the company continued to supply electricity to the Shiv Mandir at Azad Market in Telco colony and the mosque at Bari Nagar, Kharangajhar etc., Sri Din Bandhu Shiv Mandir was denied the privilege.Following the intervention of the deputy commissioner, electricity line was restored on July 30 but was disconnected again on August 13. Can you please ask the DC to ensure that supply is restored?
AI have advised the East Singhbhum deputy commissioner to look into the matter immediately and instruct the authorities to restore the electricity connection if there is no dispute. I believe your electricity connection should get restored even before you are able to read this reply.
RAJANI BALA
SECTOR 3 E, BOKARO STEEL CITY
Q: You must be aware of the steady migration of Adivasi women from Jharkhand. But neither in the Lok Sabha nor in the Assembly do we find much concern being voiced about their plight. We would like to know the steps your government has initiated to stop the flight of the women and their subsequent exploitation and harassment. Are you planning to enact any legislation?
AThe government is serious about the constant migration of tribal girls from various districts of Jharkhand. These innocent girls are being lured by some unscrupulous people to greener pastures. But eventually most of them end up working as domestic helps. I have advised the social welfare department to form a three-member committee to study the problem and submit a report suggesting possible solutions. The government is also encouraging NGOs to rehabilitate these girls. We are also launching self-employment schemes through the department.
A.K. SENGUPTA
BURDWAN COMPOUND, RANCHI
Q: Your government has taken some measures to help people below the poverty line avail of medical treatment. The cost of such treatment is so high that it is beyond the means of most people. Even senior citizens, with a monthly pension of Rs 6,000, cannot afford to spend a couple of lakhs on hospitalisation and treatment.
Insurance schemes that have been launched in recent years also do not cover senior citizens. Is it possible for the government to introduce special schemes for senior citizens, issue special cards to them and ensure that even private nursing homes and hospitals charge them at concessional rates? Perhaps, it can tie-up with some hospital or nursing home.
AThe Jharkhand government has a corpus fund for providing financial assistance to the very poor and under-privileged patients of the state for undergoing treatment. The selection for financial assistance is done on a case-by-case basis. We do not have any separate policy as of now for providing financial support to senior citizens in general.
RATAN KUMAR MUNDA
MAKATPUR ROAD, GIRIDIH
Q: Even three years after the formation of the state, the government has not been able to streamline salary payment. For example, employees posted at the public health centre at Bagodar (Giridih) have not received their salaries for four months.
Is it too difficult to computerise the records and make payments to employees on the 2nd day of the month through banks?
A: The Jharkhand government has already embarked upon computerisation of all its departments, including the treasury department, for transparency and better management.
Once it is done and fully implemented, problems related to employees’ salary would be over.
