Latest news with #SewaKendraUnion
Hindustan Times
02-08-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Ludhiana: Protest at sewa kendras over salary delay hassles visitors
Chaos and inconvenience prevailed across Ludhiana on Friday as all 40-odd sewa kendras in the district remained shut for most of the working day due to a strike by employees protesting 'irregular' salary disbursals and 'unexplained deductions'. The agitated workers staged a demonstration at the deputy commissioners' office here to press their demands. The strike ended at 3 pm following the company's assurance, and the sewa kendras reopened for two hours from 3 pm to 5 pm. (Manish/HT) Citizens who turned up at the kendras to avail essential government services were left fuming as they were either forced to wait for hours or asked to return on the next working day. The kendras, which provide more than 400 public services including birth and death certificates, Aadhaar enrolment, residence and caste certificates, marriage registrations, pension schemes and driving licenses, remained non-functional until late afternoon. The workers alleged that their salaries are, by rules, expected to be released by 10th of every month, but it is delayed regularly and at times by over a month. According to Gurpreet Singh, president of the Sewa Kendra Union, Ludhiana, 'Our salary for June was supposed to be credited by July 10, but it came only on July 31. To make matters worse, many of the workers were not even given full salaries. Those entitled to ₹10,500 were given only ₹7,000. Most of us saw a deduction of around ₹3,000 to ₹3,500.' The union's president further said that the employees were initially told that the amount had been deducted but later learnt from company officials that it had been withheld and would be credited with next month's salary. During the protest, officials from the private company contracted to operate the kendras met the workers and assured them that their concerns would be resolved by August 10, the protesters said. 'If there is no resolution by then, we will be compelled to launch a pens-down strike,' warned Gurpreet Singh. The strike ended at 3 pm following the company's assurance, and the sewa kendras reopened for two hours from 3 pm to 5 pm. However, many people had already left disappointed. Earlier in the day, Atul Mongia, a resident of the city, said, 'I took time off from work to get rectified an error in my younger son's birth certificate, which his school has asked to be submitted by Monday. But the kendra was shut. Now I'll have to skip work again on Monday and request the school for more time.' He was one of the many people who were affected due to the strike at sewa kendras.
Time of India
01-08-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Employees of 41 sewa kendras go on strike over unpaid dues
Ludhiana: Residents across Ludhiana faced inconvenience on Friday as employees of 41 Sewa Kendras went on strike over delayed salaries and unexplained deductions. The protest, which lasted from 9am to 3pm, disrupted services at key centres, including the mini secretariat, where hundreds of applications are processed daily. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The employees, hired on contract by a private company, alleged that their June salaries were paid only on July 29, and even then, Rs 2,800 to Rs 3,200 had been deducted without explanation. Gurpreet Singh, president of the Sewa Kendra Union, Ludhiana, said that the strike was a result of repeated delays and lack of transparency. Each day, the Mini Secretariat Sewa Kendra handles 400 to 500 applications, while other centres process 100 to 150 applications. With counters unmanned during the protest, thousands of applications were left pending. By evening, the protest was called off after the company assured employees that salaries would be paid by August 10, and the deducted amounts would be reimbursed. Employees resumed work following the assurance. Meanwhile, residents visiting the centres were left frustrated. Mandeep Singh from Haibowal, who came to apply for a bank-related document, said his time and travel expenses were wasted. Atma Singh, who needed to renew his driving licence, also returned disappointed. Another applicant, who took leave from work to correct Aadhaar details, said that his leave was wasted as the centre was non-functional. Employees expressed concern that the pressure would continue even after the strike, as the civic body pushes to meet property tax targets and other deadlines. MSID:: 123046557 413 |
