THE TIMES OF INDIA, NEW DELHI SATURDAY, JUNE 17, 2023
New Delhi: Allowing the prayer of employees of a government hospital to enhance the- ir risk allowance from Rs 100 to Rs 600, a Delhi court has sa- id that the things which can be taken care of by the government are ignored and courts are forced to take a decision in such circumstances.
Rs 100 per month as risk al- lowance was adequate back in 1985 but has become insufficient- ent and absurdly inadequate with the passage of time, said Ajay Goel, the presiding officer of the industrial tribunal! at Rouse Avenue Court.
“If those officers call the meeting interse they can spend the amount on their menu at government expenses but are not ready to: give the dues to the workmen, who are taking risk of their life by working in the infectious environment, taking care of the general public at large,” the officer stated.
The court, however, directed that the workers are entitled to the said allowance only from 2007, when they served the legal demand notice. The management shall implement the award forthwith or at least within 30 days of the award becoming effective, failing which the workmen would be entitled for interest 8% per annum, since the amounts became due/accrue to them.
“If a workman working in an infectious diseases hospital has to take a better diet, which may include milk, butter and eggs, on a regular basis, the monthly cost of the same will be very high. After going through the records of this case, this court comes to the opinion that Rs 100 pm on account of infectious diseases risk allowance is highly insufficient and ab- surdly inadequate,” it added.
Employees of the hospital had filed a petition in the tribunal in 1985. The matter was disposed of in 1996 with the court stating that the employees would get Rs 100 per month as risk allowance. On November 15, 2007, a legal notice of demand was sent to the hospital management.