Expressing their gratitude towards finance minister Haseeb Drabu and education minister Priya Sethi for their efforts in releasing pensionary benefits in favout of hundreds of employees of JK Industries who had been struggling for the past several years, Retired Jammu and Kashmir Industries Employees Association today said that this decision will go a long way in helping thousands of family members sustain and have a dignified life post retirement.
The employees had called on Priya Sethi, minister of state for education, technical education, culture, tourism, horticulture, floriculture and parks at her residents today wherein BJP Vice President Yudhvir Sethi was also present. They said that it was after persistent struggle and minister’s intervention that this case of giving pensions to hundreds of employees of JK Industries was agreed upon by the finance minister Hareeb Drabu. They extended their gratitude towards Yudhvir Sethi for pursuing their case vigorously and getting the decision implemented in the larger interest of employees.
Speaking on the occasion, Priya Sethi said that coalition government is employees friendly that it was towards this end that finance minister during his budget speech announced enhancement of minimum wages of unskilled workers from Rs. 150 to Rs. 225 and those of skilled labour to Rs. 350 from Rs. 225. A new category of highly skilled worker was also introduced and Rs. 400 was fixed as the minimum wage for them.
It was employees’ friendly decision that government released one per cent Dearness Allowance (DA) for employees due from 1st July 2017 and also committed to implement 7th Pay Commission Recommendations from April 1, 2018, which will be effective from 1st January, 2016. Priya Sethi said BJP-PDP coalition government is sensitive enough to understand employees of employees and its towards this end that it wants out own people to live an honourable life.
Speaking on the occasion, Yudhvir Sethi said that the cases of pension of JKI employees was pursued from table to table and finally got implemented which now will help several families live honourably and have a quality life. The employee who had given their best part of life to the government will not have to work anymore and they will be entitle to enjoy their pensionary benefits.
Yudhvir Sethi said the recent reduction of eligibility for full pension from 33 years of qualifying service to 20 years of qualifying service is also aimed at benefitting employees. Unmarried daughters of the employees, who were hitherto not entitled to receive pension, have also been made eligible to receive pension once the employee and his/her spouse is no more. These employee friendly benefits have been taken by the government keeping in view their needs and minimum resources available to them.
Yudhvir Sethi said that now the employees of JKI under SRO 291 will help employees from Jammu as well as Kashmir get pensionary benefits. Over 1300 employees, he said will be benefitted from this decision which has been taken after much deliberations and persuasion. Employees of JK Art Emporium, JK Industries and even JK Handloom, he added besides other departments will now get pensions.
Those present on the occasion include Sh.H.S Jamwal (Chairman J&K Industry Employees Association),Ashok Gupta, H.N Baigh,Krishan Lal Sharma,Sham Lal Sharma,Ashraf Chowdhary,B.D Kalsi , S.N Thaper and Kuldeep Gupta
