Srinagar /Feb, 28: Member Parliament from Anantnag Lok Sabha constituency and senior National Conference leader Justice (Retd) Hasnain Masoodi has in a statement issued here on Monday decried what he calls ” apathy and indifference” of Jammu and Kashmir administration towards the grave problems faced by JK Cements employees because of non payment of salary, gratuity and other benefits.
In his statement the NC MP said “employees of JK Cements at Khrew closed in 2019, have not been paid gratuity, retirement benefits, CP Fund and other benefits for last more than three years, though there is no reason for denying payment of the arrears that otherwise represent contributions made by the employees from their hard earned wages”,adding that “the administration in gross violation of fundamental canons of labor laws is even without any justification withholding unpaid salary of more than seventy former employees of JK Cements pushing them and their families to starvation” . Justice (Retd) Masoodi further said that Ghulam Mohammad Bhat one of the employees who was part of the employees delegation which met him on 27th February 2022 to seek his intervention, apparently because of acute financial distress suffered massive heart attack in the evening and breathed his last.
“The deceased had no source of income to fall back upon for his sustenance and that of his family, except his withheld salary”, adding that “the matter according was once again discussed with Additional Chief Secretary Finance and Principal Secretary Industries in presence of the delegation and immediate release of, at least, unpaid salary demanded, without any genuine and encouraging response”.
Masoodi has impressed upon the authorities to take a compassionate view of the grave problem face by the employees and take immediate steps for release of hard earned salary, gratuity and other benefits. He has expressed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and demanded payment of at least RS 5 lac as ex- gratia relief to bereaved family.
Masoodi has asked the administration to take decision regarding now closed JK Cements in open and transparent manner having due regard to the interests of the inhabitants of Khrew area, who have been victims of worst form of air pollutions and suffered huge financial loss and deserve to be equal stakeholders in any new venture.
