Pay contractual staff on time or face action, govt tells depts

Heads of Departments warned of action in case of violation

The heads of government departments will face action if they fail to ensure timely payment of salaries to contractual employees, the Delhi government said on Tuesday.

In a circular, the government issued “stern directions” to all departments to make sure that contract staff is paid on time and a certificate saying that the salaries have been paid is submitted to the Chief Secretary every month, a statement said.

Referring to an earlier decision of the Cabinet, after complaints of late payment were received by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, the government said it had been decided that heads or secretaries of departments would ensure that contract workers are paid on time.

“It was also decided by the Cabinet that a certificate of the wages paid to all employees should be sent to the Chief Secretary by the 20th day of each month by the respective HoDs. And the Chief Secretary would send the report to the Chief Minister on the 22nd day of each month,” the statement read.

The latest circular directed the HoDs to make sure that contract workers are paid by the 7th of every month if the establishment has less than 1,000 workers and 10th of every month if it has more than 1,000 workers.

“The circular strongly notes that in case of non-compliance, the list of the defaulters will be sent to the Vigilance Department of the Delhi government for issuing showcause notice to the HoD concerned to explain as to why departmental proceedings should not be initiated against the officer,” the statement read.