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Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Covid volunteers' union holdsprotest, seeks government jobs
The Covid Medical and Paramedical Volunteers' Union held a protest demanding government jobs here on Tuesday. The volunteers include doctors, nursing staff, pharmacist, lab technician and ward boys who were first roped in by the state government in 2020 to cater to the high load of Covid patients. 'During the first two Covid waves, the government turned some schools into level-1 Covid care centres. They hired us as there was a shortage of staff. We were aware of the dangers of working with Covid patients and still chipped in as we wanted jobs and we were promised on different levels that our jobs would continue even after the pandemic,' said union president Rajwinder Singh, who also worked as a ward boy during the pandemic in these centres. The volunteers were called for duty on three occasions. First for up to eight months in 2020, then six months in 2021 and finally six months in 2022. They, Rajwinder said, were then laid off and were told that they will be called in when there is a need later. 'We had been hired after the government, under the National Health Mission, issued a notification asking for volunteers in March 2020. We went through the complete selection process and were told about the dangers of working with Covid patients. But the idea of working for the government promised regularisation later down the road, so we kept working in the tough Covid period,' he added. 'We met the chief minister in October 2023 and we were promised regular jobs, but to no avail. We were hailed as Covid warriors and worked in testing conditions. The government should think about us,' he added.
Time of India
13-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Ceasefire violation by Pakistan shakes investor confidence in Punjab
AMRITSAR: The ongoing tensions and fragile ceasefire along the India-Pakistan border in , especially after , have chilled Non Resident Indians (NRI) investment in Punjab, particularly in border districts like Amritsar and Gurdaspur, Pathankot and Tarn Taran . Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Fearing instability, NRIs are shelving plans for ventures like hotels and real estate, with many exploring safer options abroad. Rattled by the uncertainty , the local industrialists are also hedging their bets, planning alternate manufacturing units and residences outside Punjab which could severely damage the Punjab's economic prospects and threatens a long term growth in the region. Many NRIs, who once saw the state as a promising destination for business ventures, are rethinking their plans. Take, for instance, Rajwinder Singh , an NRI from Switzerland who had been planning to invest in a boutique hotel in Amritsar's bustling heritage district. 'I was ready to move forward but with the ceasefire and the uncertainty it brings, I'm holding off ', said he His concerns echo those of others who fear that the fragile peace could unravel, reigniting tensions and disrupt business operations. For some, the ceasefire has even prompted a reevaluation of long-term plans. Germany based NRI Parmod Kumar informed that they are now exploring opportunities in other countries .'If conflict flares up again, it could destabilize everything', he said . The trend is not limited to NRI's alone Harjit Singh, who makes sewing machine spare parts in Amritsar said 'I can't risk my capital when drones are flying over Punjab,' Instead, he said he will begin exploring opportunities in Dubai, where investor-friendly policies and political stability are more appealing. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Local industrialists are also planning to diversify their assets. Some are contemplating on establishing secondary manufacturing units in safer states away from Punjab, while others are mulling over purchasing properties abroad. Agreeing with the new trend, Rajwinder said he has been getting several queries from his relatives and friends from Punjab , He clarified 'It's not about abandoning Punjab . It's about survival. If war breaks out, our factories could be collateral damage. A second home or business abroad is insurance".
