Port Blair, Feb 25: Mr. Ajoy Bairagi, State President, Bharatiya Janata Party, Andaman and Nicobar Islands met Mr. Prakash Javadekar, the Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Govt. of India at New Delhi on 24th of February 2021.
Mr. Ajoy Bairagi met the Minister to discuss the issues related to the Islands and the Islanders. A fruitful discussion was held between the State President of Bharatiya Janata Party, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the Minister.
Mr. Ajoy Bairagi during the meeting with the Minister has pressed for the regularisation of the casual workers of Doordarshan Kendra, Port Blair on special case basis as a onetime measure.
During the meeting with the Minister Mr. Ajoy Bairagi also submitted a letter to him informing the Minister the names of seven casual employees currently working in Doordarshan Unit, Port Blair.
He further mentioned in his letter that recently the office of the Minister had sought names of the casual employees who have worked for more than 10 years or more for considering their regularisation in terms of the ratio laid down by the Supreme Court of India in Uma Devi’s case and M.L Kaseri’s case. Mr. Ajoy Bairagi explained to the Minister that all the seven casual employees as mentioned in the letter have forwarded their applications for regularisation although they do not fit in the criteria as mentioned in the circular.
He further explained the Minister the grounds under which the seven casual employees of Doordarshan Kendra, Port Blair should be considered for regularisation. Mr. Ajoy Bairagi mentioned that the number of casual employees are very less in number and will not put significant financial burden. He further mentioned that Andaman and Nicobar Islands is a hard area to live and it is difficult to manage the expenses of the family with the meagre income of Rs. 11,500 to Rs. 13,500 by these casual employees. He further mentioned that the nature of work of these casual employees are highly skilled and according to the notified minimum wages of Andaman and Nicobar Administration they should be paid Rs. 680/- per day but they are paid far less. He also mentioned that these casual employees have already crossed their age for any Govt. Recruitment and they are doing their best for DDK, Port Blair inspite of all odds.
Mr. Ajoy Bairagi requested the Minister to consider regularising the appointment of the seven casual employees of DDK, Port Blair by taking a lenient view and by treating it as a special case. The Minister gave a patient hearing and assured to look into the issue.
