Haryana Minister Krishan Kumar Bedi holds a meeting with Municipal Employees Union representatives in Kurukshetra.
Legal opinion being sought on regularisation demand; Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini to hold talks with union representatives soon
KURUKSHETRA / PEN OF DEMOCRACY NEWS DESK
Haryana Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Krishan Kumar Bedi has said that the state government has agreed to 13 out of the 14 demands submitted by the Haryana Municipal Employees Union, while the remaining demand concerning the regularisation of employees is under legal examination.
The minister said the government is seeking legal opinion on the issue of regularisation to ensure compliance with relevant directions of the Supreme Court and the High Court. He added that further action on the demand would be taken after the legal opinion is received.
Bedi was speaking to journalists on Saturday after a meeting held at the Gymkhana Club in Kurukshetra. Before interacting with the media, he held detailed discussions with a 10-member committee representing the Haryana Municipal Employees Union and the Haryana Fire Services Employees Union.
The discussions were held in what the minister described as a cordial atmosphere, with representatives of the government and employee unions examining the demands and concerns placed before them.
According to Bedi, Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini had assigned him the responsibility of holding discussions with the union representatives. He said the government had also held talks with the union on August 5, when the representatives had placed their 14 demands before the government.
“Of the 14 demands submitted by the union, the government has already expressed its agreement on 13,” Bedi said, adding that the remaining issue relating to the regularisation of employees requires legal consideration.
He said the government wants to ensure that any decision on regularisation is taken in accordance with the directions and judgments of the Supreme Court and the High Court. A legal opinion is therefore being obtained before moving ahead with further action.
The minister said the state government is treating the matter seriously and would take the next steps after receiving the required legal advice.
Bedi further said that a meeting between Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and the office-bearers of the employee unions would also be arranged soon. The proposed interaction is expected to provide another opportunity for the union representatives to discuss their concerns directly with the Chief Minister and move towards a resolution of the remaining issues.
The meeting was attended by the Haryana Municipal Employees Union and Haryana Fire Services Employees Union representatives, along with senior government and Urban Local Bodies officials.
The discussions focused on the demands raised by municipal employees and fire services employees and the issues affecting their working conditions and service-related concerns.
Chief Minister’s Principal Secretary Arun Gupta, Commissioner Ashok Meena, Deputy Commissioner Vishram Kumar Meena, and other officials of the Urban Local Bodies Department were also present during the discussions.
The minister said the government remains engaged with the employee representatives and is working towards resolving their concerns through dialogue.
The issue of employee regularisation remains the principal demand awaiting a final decision. Bedi clarified that the government is not ignoring the demand but is seeking legal guidance before proceeding further.
The outcome of the legal examination will determine the next course of action on the regularisation issue, while discussions with the Chief Minister are expected to take place soon.
The employee delegation included Haryana Municipal Employees Union State President Naresh Shastri, General Secretary Mange Ram Tingra, Senior Vice-President Ramesh Toshamar, Vice-President Rajesh Bagri, Chief Organiser Shiv Charan, and State Committee Member Ashok.
Representatives of the Haryana Fire Services Employees Union, including State President Rajesh Sindh, General Secretary Gulshan Bhardwaj, State Secretary Manjeet Bhullar, and Jai Prakash, were also part of the discussions.
The meeting concluded with the government and union representatives continuing to emphasise dialogue as the way forward. With agreement reportedly reached on 13 of the 14 demands, attention is now focused on the legal review of the regularisation issue and the proposed meeting between the Chief Minister and the union leadership.
