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| More than 100 workers have lost their lives in two decades | | Scores of daily wagers in PDD without necessary gadgets | |  S TAHIR-UL HAQ
Early Times Report
SRINAGAR, Jan 13: Despite spending huge amounts on various projects and other works, JK government has failed to provide safety equipment to the daily wagers that were engaged by the PDD for maintenance work of power supply are working under a constant threat with each passing day.
Since long there has been a demand from the family members of the daily wagers who are working in the Power Development Department (PDD) to equip the field teams with necessary gadgets have fallen on deaf ears so far.
According to sources that, in the recent past the Central government gave directions to the concerned authorities of PDD to provide advanced gadgets like helmets, stairs, high-quality ropes, special gloves, jackets and shoes to the workers, be it a daily wager or any other employee of PDD so that they will work freely during tough times and can remain safe and secure.
"As per the records, more than hundred daily wagers of PDD that were engaged in maintenance work have died mostly from electric shock or by falling from poles and high-tension towers in the last two decades", said sources.
They said that, recently a video was circulated on social media where in the employees of PDD were seen working/ restoring the power supply without the necessary gadgets, adding there are scores of linemen that are working on temporary basis for the Power Development Department and they have been risking their lives without any safety gear.
The concerned authorities should understand the gravity of the situation, as they are themselves aware about the topography of Kashmir, during winter when few inches of snow get accumulated; it is only those daily wagers who remain at the forefront in restoration of power supply, sources told early times.
"There are many homes in Kashmir division that have become headless as their bread earner was the same daily wager who had been risking his life for the sake of the general public or for the department but still then they remained forefront and either they were never confirmed or compensated, alleged sources.
Sources further said that huge amounts worth crores are being spent on various projects in Kashmir valley, and fact of the matter is that the union government has also allocated funds to the department concerned, but either they have been never utilized or they were not properly utilized for the infrastructure or gadgets.
These linemen or daily wagers are being paid a few bucks from 6-7 thousands per month with no additional allowance or insurance, and despite that they are putting themselves at risk, and department concerned should understand that there is much need of these gadgets for their workers.
It becomes the sole responsibility of the department and higher authorities to purchase the necessary gadgets like shock-proof gloves, rain hoods, and insulated trousers, shoes, helmets, stairs and other gadgets for the safety of its employees especially for daily wagers, sources added. |
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