Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 17: The newly constituted J&K Forest Corporation Employees Forum (JKFCEF) has appealed the UT Government that before taking any future action on the fate of State Forest Corporation (SFC), the service security and interests of more than 2500 employees working in the Corporation, its liabilities and court orders be taken into consideration.
The Forum in a memorandum mailed to Lt. Governor, G C Murmu here, today signed by its spokesperson Suresh Sharma demanded that in view of repealing of Act, the working module under the name and style of Government Lumbering Undertaking be ordered to be adopted and reformative measures recently ordered for deposit of entire revenue into Government treasury and grant -in- aid should be allowed or the entire organisation set up may be ordered to be merged with the Forest Department.
The memorandum said unlike other PSUs SFC has background of Government project/undertaking type organisations. This demand is in conformity with the decision of Government in case of Social Forestry Project (now Department).
While referring to latest decision under Governor’s administration that SFC will deposit all its revenue to Government and in turn Government will give grant -in- aid to SFC for bearing establishment and works cost, it said the grant- in -aid stands approved in the current year budget by Government of India.
While welcoming the decision of the GoI in repealing of the Act, the Forum expressed the hope that this will pave way for restoring position i.e. Government Lumbering Undertaking or merging this organisation with the Forest Department. At present the employees of SFC are under paid, as like other PSUs ,7 pc. pay scales have not been given to them, arrears on account of 6th Pay Commission /DA have not been released in their favour and 39 pc DA is being paid less.
Pinning high hopes in the Government of Union Territory under LG the Forum said that they have all expectations that the UT Government will look into the issue as better deal to employees was promised by Union Government while converting the J&KL State into two UTs last year.
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