In course of the developments as result of the recent indefinite strike under the banner of Chhattisgarh Pradesh Swasthya Karmachari Sangh that was called off after due attention and assurances from Deputy Chief Minister and Health Minister TS Singhdeo, and Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, it is finally the part time cleaners under the state’s Ayurved institutions now taking a sigh of relief as after working over a long period of decades on a meagre pay of Rs 4,980 per month they are strongly hopeful of being accorded the full timers/regularized official status because in line of demands raised by CPSKS and the ministers’ assurances, state Chief Secretary Amitabh Jain has given the necessary orders down the line for fulfilment, which in case materialized by the current month end, will raise the monthly pay of the said cleaners to the collector rate, Rs 9,960 per month.
It needs mention that CPSKS office bearers who led the strike from the front and later pursued the demands all through the one or the other meeting held at the Mantralaya, Mahanadi Bhawan, were Patron OP Sharma, State President Alok Mishra, General Secretary Ashwini Gurdekar and Vice President SP Dewangan to whom the State Convenor of CPSKS part time cleaners wing Samay Lal Sahu has expressed allegiance, and he also expressed gratitude to the state government for considering the demand.
Regarding the part time cleaners’ demand, the ministers and top officials were repeatedly informed in writing and signed documents one after the other that as many as 733 posts of part-time cleaners were approved for dispensaries and offices under the Directorate of AYUSH on which the said category cleaners have been working for 40-50 years, and presently they form a number 720, each receiving only Rs 4980 per month.
It was underlined in the CPSKS charter of demands that though the official status of the said cleaners was ‘part-time’ and their duty time was limited to four hours, but due to being low in the official job-profile and on the other hand, the compulsion of cleanliness, they are forced to work for the whole day alike the corresponding regular employees. Not only in the offices and dispensaries, but also in implementation of the government health programme ‘Haat-Baazaar Clinic’ the cleaners have to work all day long at the behest of the officials. Working for the full day and receiving only Rs 4,980 made it difficult for these cleaners to make ends meet in their domestic and social life needs. It was brought to the notice that on according the progress of ‘full-timers’ in the official books, the cleaners would receive their monthly pay at the collector rate, Rs 9,960 per month, and the consideration was solicited, with a mention that in Ayurved hospital and other institutions there are at least 40 to 45 such part time cleaners whose condition need utmost attention.
CPSKS informed that the Chief Secretary has consented, and it is now hoped that necessary orders of the state government will be seen by the current month end.
