Himachal govt to consider doing away with outsource system: Min

The Himachal Pradesh government will consider doing away the system of outsourcing workers for various departments in the state and employing them instead, Irrigation and Public Health Minister Mahender Singh told the state assembly on Thursday. "The entire house including the ruling and the opposition MLAs have realised that the outsourcing policy is not good for the state. The entire House and the government is concerned regarding this policy. We will consider doing away with the outsourcing policy," Singh sought to assure the House on the fourth day of the winter session here at Tapovan.

As per official sources, over 13,000 workers, outsourced from various firms and labour contractors, are manning various departments like health, education, power, revenue, public health, public works department etc, doing the works of clerks, peons and other grade III and IV jobs. The minister made the statement in the House while replying to a question by Leader of Opposition Mukesh Agnihotri during a debate on water supply schemes in the state.

The debate had been initiated by by Congress MLA Ram Lal Thakur of Sri Naina Devi Ji assembly segment and CPM MLA Rakesh Singha from Theog. Stating that the outsourcing policy was exploiting workers, Agnihotri asked minister if the government proposes to do away with the system of outsourcing workers and instead employ them on regular basis with various government departments.

The minister said, "The suggestions by the members of the House are very much their in my notice as well as that of the chief minister. We will put the entire matter before the chief minister and will reconsider doing away with the outsourcing system." Replying to Ram Lal Thakur and Singha, Mahender Singh said 945 fitters, pump operators, 'beldars' (labourers engaged for digging earth with spade) and chowkidars (watchman) have been hired in the IPH Department from outsouring firms or contractors during the last three years upto July 31.

The minister added that 122 water supply schemes in Matiana and Kasumpti IPH divisions are running with inadequate staff. PTI DJI RAX

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