Covid 19 has begun to tell economically on people working on contract. Sources said a computer operator Jyoti Kumari working in project tiger directorate in Palamu since 2015 has been shown the door by the management of the tiger reserve Palamu. She is also known for rescuing snakes and birds.
Sources said the reason cited by PTR officials is that there is no sufficient fund for her payment and she will have to settle with cut payment which sources said is the latest invention on the part of the management to show workers the exit door.
Jyoti Kumari said, “Such a situation with regard to my salary was created which left me with no choice but to tender my resignation.”
She said, “I used to draw Rs 16,480 per month. In September I was told of a major cut in my monthly emolument. It was shocking to me. I was not prepared for this at all.”
Kumari said, “Justice was not done to me nor in my case equality of wages was maintained.” She in her resignation letter has asked deputy director North PTR to clear all her outstanding dues.
She raised a point saying, “There are other three computer operators in PTR and none of them has been slapped with a pay cut. Why is it only me?”
On the other hand deputy director North division of PTR where Jyoti Kumari was serving, Kumar Ashish said “It is a fund crunch and nothing else. Jyoti Kumari used to get her pay packet from CAMPA Fund. There is little money left in CAMPA and that can’t meet her Rs 16,480 benchmark. She was told of this cut way back in March itself.”
About three other computer operators Ashish said two of them get their pay from PTR’s Plan Fund and there the fiscal situation is normal. One computer operator has no grievance of any sort.