Staff await VRS benefits

BALANGIR: The 500-odd employees of Odisha State Handloom Development Corporation (OSHDC) who were offered Golden Handshake after the company ran into red have not been paid their dues a decade and a year after availing of the scheme.Among the employees, more than 50 were from Balangir whose fate continues to hang in balance as the payment is yet to reach them. Moreover, they have also not received salary from 1998 to 2001 when they accepted the VRS.Though some aggrieved employees had moved the High Court a couple of years back following which the court ordered the State Government in March 2010 to dispose of the assets of the corporation and settle the dues, it has failed to move the State Government. The irked employees have now decided to file contempt of court.Sources said out of the 515 employees working under the OSHDC, 294 and 175 had applied for voluntary retirement scheme in the first and second phases. Their applications were accepted with effect from February 28, 2001 and August 4, 2003 respectively. But their outstanding arrear salaries and allowances from February 28, 1998 till the date of retirement are yet to be cleared.Prafulla Sahu of Balangir said they had accepted the VRS hoping that they could plan their life and that of their children. But in the absence of any payment they are leading a life of penury.