Jammu, Nov 7: Jammu and Kashmir Trade Union Congress (JKTUC) has opposed the appointment of MLA Kulgam and CPI (M) state secretary M Y Tarigami as chairman of  the House Committee constituted by the legislature to investigate the Provident Fund scam in the state.
 The JKTUC has said that since Tarigami is himself a complainant,   he should not be given the responsibility of the House committee. “We appeal Assembly speaker to appoint any other person as head of the committee as Tarigami will not be able to do justice with the case. We hope government will consider our plea”, said the JKTUC state president Subash Chander Sharma.
Though union members have welcomed the formation of the committee, but they have said that the investigation should be conducted by a person who does not have any personal agenda over the issue.
Madan Sharma,  the general secretary JKTUC said , “Formation of 9-member house committee by Speaker JK Legislative Assembly is a good step as it will expose the black sheep who are cheating the employees and workers of the state. But committee should be headed by person other than Tarigami”.
Trade Union has also appealed the government to widen the scope of committee to look into the shortcomings in the JK Provident Fund organization and also recommended the redressal of their problems. “So far no government has taken interest to reform the organization and it is right time to streamline the functioning of the department. Thousands of people have put their faith on it”, said Madan Sharma.
The JKTUC also welcomed the initiative taken by the Chairman Board of Trustees, Employees provident Fund Organisation, Labor Secretary, Labour commissioner, Additional Provident Fund Commissioner and J&K Bank for increase in the rate of interest from 9 per cent to 9.25 percent on October 26 which was a long pending issue.
Pertinently, Ministry of Labour, Government of India had announced the payment of 9.5 per cent interest on the amount of provident Fund for April 2011. “We demand the Speaker may empower the said committee to discuss the very issue to raise interest from 8 to 9. 5 per cent on the pattern of Government of India in favour of JK Employees Provident Fund Organization,” said president of the Union Subash Chander.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 7 Nov 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 7 Nov 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 8 Nov 2010 00:00:00 IST