Asansol, 9 July (H.S.) Asansol Municipal Corporation has landed in a major controversy following allegations that provident fund (PF) contributions are being deducted from temporary workers’ salaries but not being deposited into their accounts. As per information, this irregularity has been ongoing for nearly two years.
Currently, the corporation employs 370 permanent and 3,658 temporary workers. According to employees, 12% of their salaries are deducted every month as PF contribution. For some, the monthly salary is ₹10,000, for others ₹15,000. Despite the deductions, employees claimed the PF amounts are not reflecting in their respective accounts. Many workers do not even receive pay slips, and SMS notifications are also inconsistent, some get them, while many don’t. Although each employee has a unique PF account number, online checks reveal that the amounts are not being deposited.
Several workers have brought the matter to the attention of the corporation’s authorities, but no solution has been provided so far. The employees are demanding an immediate investigation and the urgent transfer of the pending PF contributions to their accounts. However, due to fear of losing their jobs, temporary workers are unwilling to speak on camera.
The municipal authorities have not denied the allegations, they have shifted the blame to the private agencies.
Commenting on the issue, West Burdwan District Congress President Debesh Chakraborty criticized the ruling party, saying, “We often hear the INTTUC state president say that if factory owners don’t deposit workers' PF, strict action should be taken. But now, under the administration of their own party-run civic body, the PF money is not being deposited. What will he say now?”
BJP state secretary and MLA from Asansol South, Agnimitra Paul said. “For nearly two years, the PF amount hasn’t been deposited. If the PF authorities demand interest and penalties, it will eventually have to be paid from taxpayers’ money,”
Meanwhile, Deputy Mayor Wasimul Haque stated, “There may have been lapses on the part of the agencies, but we haven’t received any concrete complaints so far.”
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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey
