Contractors Delay Salaries, control 50% Employment

“Sir, we have not been receiving a salary for two months, making it difficult to meet household expenses. We are unable to pay our children’s school fees and grocery shop bills on time. Please help us. No one is listening to our concerns,” said the outsourced employees posted in the Chandigarh Estate Office. Recently, these employees appealed to the Assistant Estate Officer for help regarding their salaries. They mentioned that they faced a similar situation during Diwali when their salaries were delayed. The problem has persisted for quite some time.

According to the information received, Paramveer Security had the contract for manpower in the estate office. Although the contract with this company ended several months ago, officials are granting extensions to the same company instead of floating a new tender. This has led to issues with employees not receiving their salaries. The problem is reportedly affecting other departments as well. Despite submitting bills and attendance on time, the bills are not being processed, providing an opportunity for employee leaders to protest against the administration.

Outsourced employees are questioning why government employees and officers receive their salaries on the 1st of every month while they do not. They are demanding the formation of an Employment Corporation in the Chandigarh Administration, similar to the one in the Haryana Government, to exempt contractors. This move, they believe, would benefit both the administration and employees.

Providing information on the matter, Chandigarh CA Shivam stated that the contractor benefits from lakhs of rupees in back interest despite delaying salaries worth crores of rupees by 10 days.

The dominance of manpower contractors is increasing in Chandigarh Administration UT, with over 50 percent of government employment handed over to contractors. Outsourced employees face salary delays, as contractors demand money from them every month in exchange for their jobs. Some contractors, in collusion with the administration, extend old contracts without back guarantees, leading to negligence in various departments and non-payment of salaries to outsourced employees. The Coordination Committee has demonstrated in front of the UT Secretariat in protest.

Sayam Garg, Assistant Estate Officer, Chandigarh Administration, clarified that Paramveer Security’s contract for manpower in the estate office has concluded, and an extension was granted for a few months only. This extension is causing issues with salary payments to employees. The contract has been allotted to another company, and approval from the administration is pending. All outsourced employees will receive their salaries soon.
Chief Engineer CB Ojha stated that under the tender conditions, it is mandatory to pay salaries to outsourced employees on the 7th. The contractor must pay this salary on time and seek reimbursement from the administration. This is the reason contractors receive a commission.