In a significant development, employees of over 15,000 PACS Lamps Cooperative Societies in the state of Rajasthan are advocating for the formation of a common cadre, regularization, and fair wages, mirroring the systems in place in Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.
Led by Megharam Choudhary, State Media Coordinator – Rajasthan, National Cooperative PACS Employees Union, they assert that their demands are in accordance with practical and just policies that ensure appropriate remuneration in exchange for their services.
The call for these reforms arises from the perspective of social responsibility towards the millions of people in the state, grappling with the scarcity and adversity caused by the absence of interest-free crop loans, sale of fertilizers and pesticides, ration distribution, and support price procurement for crops – all components of the central and state government’s welfare programs.
The plea gained added significance due to the long-standing neglect of the secure service of cooperative society employees in Rajasthan for the past three decades. This oversight has had a direct impact on the common citizens, especially farmers, who are now bearing the brunt of the consequences.
Compounding the challenges, during the COVID-19 pandemic, over 50 PACS employees lost their lives while implementing government schemes.
Unfortunately, the government failed to provide any financial or social security to their families. Additionally, six PACS employees have resorted to suicide due to economic hardships resulting from delayed salary disbursement, they argue.
While the central government has been making commendable efforts to promote cooperatives, it is imperative to extend social and economic benefits to the employees of these cooperative societies, Megharam says.
It is hoped that the central government promptly addresses and resolves this issue, taking into consideration the welfare of cooperative society employees, he concludes.