Mandi (Munish Sood)
The Karunamoolak Sangh has launched a statewide campaign to remind the Himachal Pradesh government of its unfulfilled promises to families awaiting jobs on compassionate grounds.
Through a series of press conferences across districts, the association is calling on Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and his cabinet to honour the commitments made during the Assembly elections and after assuming office.
Broken promises leave families in distress
During the election campaign, the Congress leaders had assured these families that their struggles were understood. They acknowledged the hardships faced when the sole earning member of a family passes away and pledged that, within six months of forming the government, all eligible dependents in Himachal Pradesh would be provided one-time settlement permanent jobs.
However, nearly two and a half years later, these families remain in limbo, with no concrete action taken. The government has repeatedly cited the Karunamoolak Sub-Committee as a delaying mechanism.
While two meetings have been held, no tangible results have emerged and affected families continue to suffer under false assurances.
Frustration growing among affected families
At a press conference held in Mandi district, Anil Blania, district president of Karunamoolak Sangh, voiced the concerns of the affected families.
Several individuals, including Neeraj, Rakesh, Manoj, Jaberam, Shankar, Dharmveer Netar, Sachin, Dataram, Dinesh, Jitendra, Piyush, Ali Mohammad, Manish Bhakt, Bunty and Rakesh, participated in the event, highlighting their ongoing struggles.
“We have already lost our loved ones, and now, for more than two years, the government has ignored our pleas. We feel abandoned and betrayed,” said one of those present.
The families recalled that when the Congress was in opposition, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Mukesh Agnihotri and Vikramaditya Singh had criticised the then government for using committees to delay decisions. However, after coming to power, the same leaders are now using bureaucratic delays to avoid fulfilling their promises.
“The government is stalling our appointments by citing committees, while our families continue to struggle for survival. We demand that the government stop hiding behind technicalities and act immediately,” said Anil Blania.
Long-standing struggles for justice
The Karunamoolak Sangh has been actively protesting for years, with a 432-day hunger strike in Shimla during the previous government’s tenure. Despite raising their voices from every corner of the state, the affected families continue to be ignored.
The affected families have outlined specific demands that they urge the government to address in the upcoming February 13 cabinet meeting:
1. Amendment of the 07/03/2019 Policy
- The current annual income condition of ₹62,500 must be removed entirely.
- The income limit should be increased to ₹2.50 lakh or more to ensure broader eligibility.
2. Reconsideration of rejected cases
- The Finance Department’s notification dated September 22, 2022, which prohibits reconsideration of rejected cases, must be revoked.
- A fresh notification should be issued to allow previously rejected cases to be reconsidered.
3. Removal of the 5% quota restriction
- The 5% cap on compassionate appointments should be eliminated to allow one-time relaxation and bulk hiring.
- In departments, boards, corporations, and universities where no vacancies exist, eligible cases should be shifted to other departments to facilitate employment.
4. Job allocation based on educational qualifications
- Both technical and non-technical job positions should be filled based on applicants’ educational qualifications.
- This approach will ensure equitable distribution of job placements across various roles.
5. Fair and timely appointments
- Once the policy amendments are made, job appointments should be granted immediately and without discrimination.
- The deceased employee’s date of passing should determine seniority in job allocation, ensuring fairness and transparency.
Government’s silence raises concerns
Despite repeated assurances, the lack of concrete action has left families disillusioned. Many have been waiting for over 15 to 20 years, struggling to survive after losing their primary breadwinners.
“The Congress government claimed to be a champion of employees and their families, but their inaction tells a different story. If they truly care about those who served the state, they must listen to our voices and fulfill their promises,” said an affected family member.
The Karunamoolak Sangh has made it clear that if their demands are not met in the upcoming February 13 cabinet meeting, they will escalate their protests across the state.
