JCILPS bans Secretariat, market construction works
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 02 2016 :
Taking strong exception to the alleged engagement of migrant work-ers who do not possess man- datory documents/identity cards in the construction of Manipur Secretariat and a multi-storey market complex at the erstwhile Tombisana High School campus, the Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) has banned the same construction works.
As announced yesterday, JCILPS volunteers today went to Mantripukhri and the erstwhile Tombisana High School complex where Mani-pur Secretariat and a multi- storey market complex are constructed, and made field inspections.
As the JCILPS team led by its convenor Khomdram Ratan reached the erstwhile Tombisana High School campus, they met Works Minister Dr Kh Ratankumar who was inspecting the construction work.
After a brief talk, Dr Ratankumar suggested the JCILPS volunteers to talk with officials of Simplex Project Limited.
Then he left the construction site.
|
Soon after, the JCILPS team carried out a verification exercise of the migrant workers engaged in the market construction work.
However, the verification exercise was cut short as a police team arrived at the scene.
Later speaking to media persons, K Ratan said that majority of the labourers engaged in the market construc- tion work are migrant workers, they don't possess identi- ty proof documents while identity proof documents produced by some of them were all found to be forged ones.
Moreover, they do not possess any documents which are mandatory under the Inter-State Migrant Workmen (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act 1979.Stating that the construction work of the market complex has been banned, Ratan asked Simplex Projects Limited to come to the office of JCILPS and produce all necessary documents within two days.
Simplex Projects Limited applied for labour licences but the same have not been issued, said Labour Inspector RK Balram who also came to the construction site.
According to a spot enquiry conducted last month, 83 labourers are engaged in the market construction work, he said.
At Mantripukhri, the JCILPS team pull up 66 migrant workers who do not possess valid identity proof documents or who are in possession of fake documents.
All the 66 migrant workers were later handed over to Heingang Police.
Although 51 labourers were in possession of identity cards, they did not other necessary documents, Ratan said.
Quoting the Simplex Projects Limited PRO who reportedly stated that they have 110 migrant workers and 150 local workers, the JCILPS said that the construction work of Manipur Secretariat has also been banned.
The ban will remain in force until all the labourers are issued necessary documents.
By engaging migrant workers without any regulation in many of the projects being implemented in the State, local workers are being put under constant economic threats.
The State Government should not remain silent on the matter, Ratan asserted.
He added that the JCILPS would carry out similar drives in the coming days too.