Voluntary retired employees of Kashmir Government Arts Emporium, Srinagar have been deprived of monthly salaries for the last five years. About 40 employees of the Kashmir Govt Arts Emporium were compelled to opt for Voluntary Retirement from Services due to non-payment of their monthly salaries for years together. With the intention of surviving on the retirement dues, these poor employees seek VRS. But these employees after four five years of their cut of date from services are still awaiting their regular salaries for years together. A delegation comprising the VRS employees informed that they have taken bank loans and due to non-payment of the monthly EMIs the principal amount plus interest accrued are getting increased day by day as a result the bank employees on regular intervals are threatening us to pay the outstanding borrowings immediately. This has resulted mental trauma, stress and anxiety to all of us hence poses a life threat.
Besides, all the VRS employees are suffering from old age related ailments like hypertension, diabetes, thyroid and other ailments and in view of lack of funds, they are unable to procure the life saving medicines. They are compelled to commit suicide, if their long pending salaries are not paid, said the delegation. As revealed by the delegation that some employees are selling their blood to keep the flame of life burning and most died in absence of any medical treatment as well as costly medication and lab tests due to shortage of funds.
The delegation informed that they have sent a detailed representation to the Chief Secretary, UT of J&K for redressal of their genuine grievances on humanitarian grounds. They through this medium once again request Shri Atul Kumar Sharma, Managing Director for clearing their outstanding long pending salaries at the earliest as the tourism had been boosted since last five years and the outlets of the Kashmir Govt Arts Emporium are doing brisk sales in cores of rupees. Hence, the liabilities of the VRS employees could be cleared easily. Besides, government is providing a stable budgetary support to the Corporation and the same needs to be utilized judiciously for the said purpose, the delegation added.
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