Outsourced personnel deployed through the Uttarakhand Poorv Sainik Kalyan Nigam Limited (UPNL) across various state departments have received significant relief. The Uttarakhand government has decided to initiate immediate measures to grant equal pay and dearness allowance (DA) to workers recruited up to November 12, 2018, expanding the initial phase that had focused on appointments made before January 1, 2016. Sainik Kalyan Secretary Yugal Kishore Pant issued a revised Government Order (GO) updating earlier wage directives. Under the amended guidelines, outsourced workers hired before January 1, 2016, along with those appointed between January 1, 2016, and November 12, 2018, are now entitled to the minimum pay scale and DA, with implementation taking effect immediately. The decision is set to benefit a large section of the outsourced workforce across the state. A subsequent timeline has been established for newer recruits. Personnel who joined service between November 13, 2018, and the cutoff date of October 15, 2024, will be brought under the minimum pay scale and DA provisions starting April 1, 2027. All other existing service terms will continue unchanged. The development follows persistent representations by the Uttarakhand UPNL Contractual Employees Union, which has been advocating for a phased regularisation policy for around 22,000 workers statewide. Union representatives noted that the High Court had verbally directed authorities on September 10 not to withhold salaries, release five months of pending dues, and refrain from forcing employees into fresh contract bonds, prompting calls for clear administrative orders to address financial distress among staff. Post navigation Deadly Blast at Mangaluru Refinery Leaves One Dead, Eight Injured
