Cabinet took decision in the interest of ex-employees

Relief given to ex-employees of CONFED, Haryana Minerals Limited (HML) and Handloom and Export Corporation

5 Dariya News

Chandigarh 23-Jan-2025

The Haryana Government has decided to waive off recoverable amounts from ex-employees of CONFED, Haryana Minerals Limited (HML), and Handloom and Export Corporation, in line with the Haryana State Minor Irrigation and Tubewell Corporation (HSMITC), who had availed benefits under the Old Age Samman Allowance Scheme.

A decision to this effect was taken in the meeting of State Cabinet held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini here today. As per the decision, the total principal amount paid for the period before October 1, 2020, will be recovered, without interest, from the ex-employees of CONFED, Haryana Minerals Limited (HML), and Handloom and Export Corporation. The recovery will be limited to one year, specifically from October 2019 to September 2020. Additionally, the total principal amount paid after October 1, 2020, will also be recovered without interest, following the same lines.

The total Principal amount to the tune of Rs 1,46,89,690, pending recovery from the ex-employees of CONFED, Haryana Minerals Limited and Haryana Handloom and Export Corporation, relates to the period before October 1, 2019, will be waived off. The eligibility of honorarium of any of the ex-employees of these three corporations will be with effect from October 1, 2020 only subject to the recovery of outstanding principal amount and after obtaining the No Dues Certificate from the concerned District Social Welfare Officer in the district.

Any amount of Social Security Pension, which has already been recovered from/deposited by any of the ex-employees of these three corporations against the pension paid for the period, will only be adjusted against their recoverable amount. However, any excess amount already recovered from/deposited by any of the ex-employees, irrespective of the period, will not be refunded.

According to the scheme guidelines issued under Old Age Allowance, in case the person is receiving pension from any government or local/statutory body or any organization substantially financed by any government or local/ statutory body, he or she will not be eligible to receive allowance under the scheme.

As a result, ex-employees of CONFED, Haryana Minerals Limited (HML), and Handloom and Export Corporation were ineligible to avail benefit under the Old Age Samman Allowance since they were already receiving a monthly pension under the Employees Pension Scheme, 1995. Additionally, they had already benefited from the Gratuity and Leave Encashment.

The State Government has approved a fixed monthly honorarium, in place of pension for ex-employees of these three corporations, which ranges from Rs 6000 to Rs 20,000 per month, depending on the employees classification, and is effective from October 1, 2020 on the same pattern as was given to the employees of HSMITC.

Nayab Singh Saini has amended the Punjab Civil Service (Judicial Branch) Rules, 1951 (as applicable to the State of Haryana) regarding the departmental examination of civil judges in Haryana. Rule-5 of Part-D of this rule has been replaced. Now, according to this Part-D, the departmental examination will be conducted by the High Court or any agency or authority nominated by the Chief Justice.

The Cabinet has approved the removal of Part-E of ‘Departmental Examination’. According to earlier provisions, the said departmental examination was conducted by the Central Committee of Examination and all newly appointed civil judges had to pass it within the probation period.

Nayab Singh Saini here today, accorded ex-post facto approval for providing State Government Guarantee of Rs 401 crore in favour of Punjab National Bank, LCB Branch, Sector 17-B, Chandigarh against renewed Cash Credit Limit/WCDL of Rs 101 crore and fresh limit of Rs 300 crore (total amounting to Rs 401 crore) to meet the working capital requirements and Letter of Credit facility of Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam Ltd (UHBVNL).

The Nigam manages its day to day operations by using fund based and non-fund based working capital limits sanctioned by various banks. Due to increase in power purchase payments and for providing of Letter of Credit (LCs) facility in favour of power suppliers/generators as per Ministry of Power guidelines, the UHBVNL requires the fresh credit facility/ Letter of Credit.

Fund based and Non-fund based requirements of the company are increasing because of increase in Power Purchase Payments and increased requirement of Letters of Credits (LCs) to be given to Power Suppliers/Generators as per Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs).

Notably, the UHBVNL is a state-owned power distribution utility responsible for supply of electricity to the consumers in 10 northern districts of Haryana. The operations of the utility are regulated by Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC).