Illegally dismissed 29 yrs ago, man awaits justice
Fatehgarh Sahib: Kaka Singh, 59, has been running from pillar to post to get justice for the past 29 years. He started his fight against the Lohar Majra Kalan Cooperative Agricultural Service Society Limited of Fatehgarh Sahib district when he was terminated by the society in 1984 on the charge that he had committed embezzlement of funds of around Rs 10,000. He had put in 14 years of service already when he was dismissed.
Kaka Singh, 59, has been running from pillar to post to get justice for the past 29 years. He started his fight against the Lohar Majra Kalan Cooperative Agricultural Service Society Limited of Fatehgarh Sahib district when he was terminated by the society in 1984 on the charge that he had committed embezzlement of funds of around Rs 10,000. He had put in 14 years of service already when he was dismissed.
Kaka, who was receiving Rs 550 monthly at that time, challenged his dismissal in the Ludhiana labour court and claimed that he was illegally terminated from the service without any notice, charge sheet, enquiry and payment of retrenchment compensation.
The court had given a decision in his favour in 1998 and held that the termination of services of Kaka Singh couldn't be justified. The court also directed the society to reinstate Kaka and pay 25% of wages to him for the period he remained out of service.
The society had challenged the labour court order in the Punjab and Haryana high court in 1999 twice. However, the case was dismissed on April 20 and July 13 last year by two separate benches.
As per Kaka, the society had deposited around Rs 84,000 in his account without his consent, which is not justified. He demanded that he should be compensated as per present grades of the department. He said he had spent an important time of his life contesting his case in the court and his retirement was due in July. He alleged that the society was still harassing him and demanding security of one-acre land from him. He claimed as per rules he had deposited Rs 10,000 as security for the land.
He said he had complained to the chief minister, minister concerned and senior officers and other authorities in this regard. He added that he has again approached the court to get his dues as per today's grades.
Cooperative Society assistant registrar Harbans Singh said the society had made payment to Kaka as per the labour court's decision and there was no grade system when he was in service.
He said if the court directs the society to make payment to Kaka Singh as per today's revised pay scales, the society would be bound to make payment as per the court's decision. About alleged harassment of Kaka, he said no body was putting hindrance in his way to execute his duty.