Bashir Ahmad Runiyal, IAS, Commissioner/Secretary, Labour and Employment is considered to be the administrator with efficient qualities of dynamism and has served at several key posts.
In an exclusive interview with The Kashmir scenario, Bashir Runiyal talks to Shahzad Hussain Hamdani.
How do you view the current picture related to labour and employment scenario of state?
Basically we have about 6 lac people who as per our record are unemployed. Out of 6 lac people, 4.88 lacs are registered with our district employment and counseling centers. Out of that the big chunk of about 2.94 lacs are between matric to secondary education. So this portion of unemployed youth has to be addressed, be it for skilled development, technical education and of course subsequently for employment.
It has been seen that many employment schemes failed to provide desire results. What is your take on this?
No, we are running these self-employment schemes which are monitored and run by the employment department. We have one director who is looking after the entire state; so far as self-employment scheme is concerned we have a target of 50,000 this year. Almost we are achieving this target, in the form of loan, interest subsidy, margin money and the employment agency have already approved new policy on self-employment scheme. We hope in the next meeting that will go through. So now we are in the process of launching new schemes which is rather simple as compared to old one.
So, I think hopefully with the introduction of such new scheme, we will provide employment to more unemployed youth.
How many youth have registered themselves for employment schemes?
Initially we have about 6 lac people registered. Subsequently after three years fresh registration takes place. So, at present we have 4.88 lacs unemployed youth registered. We have full details about it. We have about 3064 people who are illiterate but still registered with us; upto middle we have 60,732 people registered; between matric to Higher secondary, we have 2, 94,009 people registered. So same way we have graduates, post graduates, diploma holders, degree holders and even I.T.I people who are 10,500 in number and registered with us.
As per our record the registration in our district centers is about 4.88 lacs.
Is there any new upcoming employment scheme for the unemployed youth of the state?
Well, we have got very prestigious schemes. These schemes are monitored by the Chief Minister. It is a flagship program of J&K state for addressing the unemployment youth of the state. It is under the banner of Sher-e-kashmir employment and welfare programmme (SKEWP) forum employed youth of J&K. Actually this scheme started in 2011, the EDI. The entrepreneur development institute is basically responsible implementation of seed capital. We provide them loan as well as seed capital. We first provide them training in different sectors like manufacturing and in other entrepreneur development training. After the training, they are facilitated with the help of banks in the form of loan as well as seed money and we remain committed that within a prescribed time they start their own manufacturing unit or any other unit.
Till date we have been successful in providing employment to about 11,000 people through EDI.
Another scheme we have is Voluntary services Allowance (VSA). We are paying VSA to about 50,000 people. We have different amount of different class like, for matric we have Rs 600 to 1200/month.
This is for three years, the minimum age is 26 years which make them entitle for voluntary services Allowance. After three years they get eliminated from our list.
There are some grievances from graduates and under-graduates that after they get trained from EDI, they don’t get the loan amount on time and infact there is also some favoritism in EDI. Your take on this?
Basically this is not for the first time that such a thing has come to my notice. I am myself heading the steering committee. We basically clear those cases, we hold meeting on weekly basis. The only thing is that I don’t think there is any discrimination, but if there is any specific case I will surely take action against it.
There are corporations like HCC not adhering to employment rules and not providing employment letters. Any action you have taken in this regard?
I didn’t had any knowledge about such a thing, but if that is so I will surely convey it to labour commissioner to look into the matter that as to why they have not given the appointment letters and to take action if they are violating the labour and employment rules.
As per labour laws they are supposed to give appointment letters.
Sir, if our newspaper will provide you proof that the HCC is clearly violating labour and employment norms. Will strict action be taken against them?
Definitely, if I will get the data I will surely take strict action against the company. Every company is bound to follow the rules defined in the labour and employment laws, so anyone who will violate it will be dealt by law in strict way.
There are complaints that private sectors like telecommunication don’t follow proper work schedule related to the time schedule of working. What is being done to regulate working hours for the employees in private sector?
No, they are bound to maintain the time schedule. So as per labour law it should not be more than 9 hours working, with one hour break. So practically the working hour is for both government sector as well as private sector. So if they don’t maintain, there is clear violation of labour laws. Since you have brought it to my notice, I will definitely get it inquired and ask my labour commissioner to take necessary steps to check any violations.
For the sake of our readers, what is the minimum wage for labourers?
The minimum wage is different for unskilled and skilled class, and which is far better than other state. In construction Industry, the minimum wage for un-skilled labour is Rs. 150 per day; for semi-skilled Rs 175 per day; for skilled labour is Rs 225 per day and for Ministerial/superior/Acctts it is Rs. 200 per day. In the same way the same rate is for other industries as well.
What measures have been taken to check the growing child labour issues in the state?
Basically we do have a central act as far as child labour is concerned. But of course there is a problem of child labour in many areas. Actually the labourers who come from outside and they put their children to work in different places. But we are certainly trying to enforce the law in its full letter and spirit.
What is your message to the youth of the state?
My message is that they should switch over from traditional education to vocational and technical education. At least vocational education is now very important for sustenance. I would say particularly the youth between matric to higher secondary, should also involve them in technical education.