Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has found himself under scrutiny following his response to allegations made by three outsourced employees of the National Health Mission (NHM). In light of the employees' claims, Sukhu remarked that outsourced workers, who are hired through private companies, sometimes face job termination, suggesting it's not a significant concern and their grievances will be addressed.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) swiftly criticized Chief Minister Sukhu for his statement, asserting that it displayed insensitivity towards marginalized individuals. The party highlighted that his comments seemed to reflect a lack of concern for the well-being of those in vulnerable employment positions.
The NHM employees alleged that they were fired for refusing to perform duties at the residence of Secretary (Health) M Sudha Devi. One of the employees, who is disabled and hails from a remote area, asserted that their concerns were not heeded, even after bringing the issue to the Chief Minister's attention.\
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Sanjay Sharma, the BJP's media coordinator, expressed deep disappointment with the Chief Minister's attitude. He emphasized that instead of taking action against the concerned officer, Sukhu seemed to be shielding her. Sharma pointed out the contrast between the Chief Minister's promises of job creation and his current stance, which seemingly overlooks the interests of employees.
"The CM's duty is to explain whether someone hired through a company is considered an employee, and if so, isn't it the government's responsibility to safeguard their interests?" questioned Sharma.
Sharma underscored that this incident is not an isolated one and mentioned that government officers have previously coerced employees into performing household tasks. In this context, he highlighted the secretary (health), who is already facing scrutiny for her role in a Public Distribution System (PDS) scam during her tenure in Tamil Nadu.
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The BJP representative called for immediate action, urging the removal of Secretary (Health) M Sudha Devi from her position. Additionally, he demanded an apology from the Chief Minister for his comments that appeared to downplay the concerns of outsourced workers.
The controversy surrounding Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu's comments illustrates the wider issue of outsourced employees' rights and treatment. As the matter gains attention, it highlights the significance of safeguarding the interests of all workers, regardless of their employment arrangement. The episode serves as a reminder that leadership must ensure fairness, respect, and accountability in addressing the concerns of every worker, especially those who might find themselves in more vulnerable positions.
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