Himachal Pradesh Government College Teachers Association Opposes New Recruitment and Service Conditions Bill.
Shimla:
The Himachal Pradesh Government College Teachers Association (HGCTA) has voiced strong opposition to the recently enacted Himachal Pradesh Recruitment and Conditions of Service Bill for government employees, 2024. The association has condemned the bill, calling it unconstitutional, anti-employee, and an attempt to undermine the services of contract employees in the state.
HGCTA argues that the bill discredits the contributions of employees recruited on a contract basis by the state government through the Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (HPPSC). The association highlighted that the state government has been resistant to implementing multiple judicial rulings from both the Himachal Pradesh High Court and the Supreme Court of India, which have directed the government to consider the period of contract service for benefits such as increments, promotions, and other consequential advantages. Despite these court orders, the state government has not fully complied.
The bill, according to HGCTA, seeks to override these court judgments and denies employees their rightful benefits by considering their contract service as non-public. This contradicts the fact that these employees were recruited under the same qualifications, job profiles, and recruitment processes as their regular counterparts, with appointments made through the HPPSC. The association also criticized the government’s double standards in claiming benefits for employees under the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) while neglecting their contract service rights.
Dr. Banita Saklani, President of the HGCTA, urged the state government to immediately withdraw the bill and honor the court’s decisions. She warned that if the government fails to address these concerns, the employees will challenge the bill in court or resort to protests to safeguard their rights.
This development has raised concerns about the future of contract employees in Himachal Pradesh, with HGCTA promising to continue fighting for their rights both legally and on the streets if necessary.
