Port Blair, Dec 27: Mr. Kuldeep Rai Sharma, President, and General Secretary Mr. KP Aboobakar,INTUC met with the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Mr. DV Negi on 26th December, 2012 in his chamber and demanded that the Mazdoors working on daily wages and crossed 240 days of continuous service are entitled for 1/30th of pay at the minimum of pay scale of the regular Mazdoors plus DA which in some of the Forest divisions are not maintaining.
Giving examples of Havelock and Baratang Divisions, Sharma has pointed out that the wages @ 1/30th per day equal to the wages of regular mazdoor is paid to some DRMs consequent on the judgment of Court in their favour but others are deprived of from the benefits. thus two types of wages are drawn and paid to the similar category of workmen for similar works by the employer.
President demanded that for immediate intervention and examination of the PCCF on this issue so that natural justice is given to the workmen. Besides, Sharma has also took up the matter of timely settlement of pension and payment of benefits on superannuation of the Industrial employees of the Forest Deptt, filling up of vacant posts in South Andaman Division and Betapur saw mill/Middle Andaman Division. Sharma has also demanded that the election of works committee as per the provisions of the ID Act,1947 in Nicobar Division at Campbell Bay needs to be conducted at the earliest.
Sharma has also stated that the employees of Nicobar Forest Division working in forest camps at 35 km, 16, KM, Magar Nallah and Campbell bay H.Qrs were victimized in the tsunami of 2004 but no action has been taken so far for construction of their permanent shelter by the Department and hence Sharma demanded that early action be initiated to construct shelters and provide to the tsunami victimized employees of the Forest Department.
Mr. Sharma also demanded to fill up the vacant posts of Betapur Saw mill and South Andaman Forest Division. Mr. DV Negi, Principal Conservator of Forests gave a patience hearing and assured to look into the matter on positive manner.
