Srinagar: Observing that rights of thousands of poor people was being violated by the state’s education department by not paying them even minimum wages, the State Human Rights Commission on Wednesday to file an appropriate application before J&K High Court, seeking intervention of the Commission as a part in petition filed by the state regarding the matter.
“A case wherein Commission initiated Suo-Moto proceedings on reading a report in Newspaper that various schools in Bandipora district sweepers have been engaged on payment of Rs.25/- to sRs.100/- per month was listed before the Justice Bilal Nazki, Chairperson, J&K State Human Rights Commission on 17-07-2018. The Chairperson felt that this is exploitation by the State Government and these person who were used for Baigar which is not permissible,” reads a statement issued by the Comission here on Wednesday.
“As per report filed by Director School Education Kashmir there were 7414 daily wagers who were paid Rs.200/- to Rs.500/ per month. However, Director School Education was not able to tell the Commission as to how many were getting Rs.200/- and how many are receiving Rs.500/- p. m. Ultimately, State took refuge in the fact that a Writ Petition is filed which is pending in the High Court.”
However, Chairperson observed that this was a case in which Commission feels that it should intervene in the proceedings before the High Court as the State in view of the Commission has violated rights of thousands of poor people and there are more than 7000 persons working in Kashmir Wing of Education Department on wages less than minimum. “The Commission apprehends that there may be larger number of such exploited people working in other Departments. Therefore, the Commission would like to intervene in the proceedings before the High Court in terms of Section 13 Sub-clause(3) of J&K Protection of Human Rights Act 1997 and the undersigned is directed to file an appropriate application before the High Court seeking intervention of the Commission as a part in Writ Petition No.2185/2016,” it added.
