Date:01/04/2008 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/04/01/stories/2008040152352300.htm

Back BHPV staff seek wage revision

Our Bureau

Visakhapatnam, March 31 The employees and officials of the Bharat Heavy Plate and Vessels (BHPV) here have urged the Union Heavy Industries Ministry to effect wage revision immediately in view of the increased cost of living and as they have been drawing wages at 1992 prices, at a time when the Central Government staff are getting wages in accordance with the recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission.

In a petition sent to Dr S.N. Das, Secretary in the Union Ministry for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises, the BHPV Officers’ Association said the staff was only pleading for the implementation of the Fifth Pay Commission wages.

The Andhra Pradesh High Court had given a directive that the staff be paid revised wages with effect from January 1, 1997, but it had not been heeded.

The directive was given in response to a writ petition filed by some of the staff members.

BHEL merger

Mr K. Govindarajulu, President of the BHPV Officers’ Association, and Mr Mr Suryanarayana, Secretary, said that the issue of the wage revision should not be linked with the revival of BHPV or the takeover of the company by BHEL.

The wage revision should not be postponed for a prolonged period on that ground, they pointed out, as the staff could not be expected to survive on 1992 wages.

It may be noted that in order to help the ailing public sector unit the Union Cabinet has cleared a proposal to merge BHPV with BHEL and the modalities are being worked out.