Delhi Government issues stern directions for timely payment to contractual employees

· Delhi Government issues stern directions for timely payment to contractual employees
· HoD/Secretaries directed to ensure timely payment to all contractual employees
· Payment to be done latest by the seventh day of the month to all contractual employees
· In case of non-compliance, show cause notice to be issued to the HoD concerned

In a major relief to the huge number of contractual employees employed directly by the Delhi Government or working with a contractor whose services have been hired by the Delhi Government, the government has issued stern directions for timely payment to the contractual employees.

Cabinet Decision on timely wage payment to contractual employees

Delhi Cabinet chaired by the Chief Minister Sh. Arvind Kejriwal had earlier passed the proposal for timely payment of wages to the contractual employees of Delhi Government and employees of contractors hired by the Delhi Government.

The cabinet had decided that it was the responsibility of the HoD/Secretary to ensure payment of wages to all contract employees timely. It was also decided by the cabinet that a certificate of the wages paid to all employees should be sent to the Chief Secretary by 20th day of each month by the respective HoDs. And the Chief Secretary would send the report on the same to the Chief Minister on 22nd day of each month.

The cabinet decided the same after complaints of late payment of wages were received by the Chief Minister Sh. Arvind Kejriwal.

Stern Directions issued for timely payment to contractual employees

A strict circular now has been issued for all the secretaries to follow the cabinet directions for timely payment of wages to contract employees. Respective HoDs/Secretaries have been made responsible for timely payment to the contractual staff. It has been directed that wages for the previous month should be paid to all such staff by 7th day of the next month if the establishment has engaged less than 1000 persons/workers and by 10th day of the next month if the establishment has engaged more than 1000 persons/workers.

It further says, each HoD/Secretary should certify that the payments have been done to the contract employees and a certificate of the same should be sent to the Chief Secretary by 20th day of the month; it has been directed to scrupulously follow the instructions over the payment. The Chief Secretary will then submit a report to the Chief Minister by the 22nd day of the month on the same.

The circular further strongly notes that in case of non-compliance, the list of the defaulters will be sent to the Vigilance Department of Delhi Government for issuing show cause notice to the HoD concerned to explain as to why departmental proceedings should not be initiated against the officer.

Chief Minister’s vision behind the decision

The Chief Minister took the initiative of ensuring timely payment to the contractual employees after it was noted that contractual employees were getting their wages quite late. This was a huge problem for these employees and was impacting their lives.

The Chief Minister said that every employees has a right to lead his/her life with dignity be it a permanent employee or a contractual employee. It was the duty of the concerned government/department to ensure timely payment of their rightful wages to have a more respectful and organised life.

The Chief Minister has been very serious and concerned for the welfare and protection of rights of the contractual employees of the Delhi Government.