Revival of UP Handloom Corpn in troubled waters

IRREGULARITIES IN the Deen Dayal Hathkargha Protshahan Yojna, which was launched to revive the UP Handloom Corporation, have put the corporation under huge losses.

IRREGULARITIES IN the Deen Dayal Hathkargha Protshahan Yojna, which was launched to revive the UP Handloom Corporation, have put the corporation under huge losses.

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This came into light when a departmental inquiry consisting of two senior officials made a visit to few showrooms in south and central India in 2005. The team reported about irregularities committed by officials in purchase of goods for showrooms. Besides, it also indicated about the nexus between the then official of the showrooms and suppliers in most of the showrooms.

The Corporation authorities called a meeting of officers and employees’ leaders in April 2006 to discuss shortcomings and also sought their suggestions to improve the situation. Most of the officers and employees’ leaders were of the view that old system of purchase should be reinstated and technical manpower available with the Corporation should be utilised so the quality of goods being purchased for sale could be maintained.

They opposed the decentralised purchase system and said that this was not good, as the regional marketing managers (RMMs) of most of the area have not maintained the sincerity and transparency. They said the RMMs were purchasing goods through cash payment for sale, which were more costly than being supplied by traders on full credit under consignment scheme.

Questions were raised on delay in action against the guilty officials. Talking to Hindustan Times general secretary of the UP Handloom Employees Union PC Bhanti said that delay in initiating action against the guilty officials have encouraged corrupt officials to continue their ill practices. Bahnti suggested for stringent action against the guilty officials at the earliest. He expressed his surprise over the recently introduced voluntary retirement scheme and retrenchment scheme together by the Corporation authorities. He said both the things could not be offered together according to norms.

However, on May 16, 2006 the employees’ leaders met the directors on the issue of VRS. The leaders said they have been assured that the matter would be taken up with the government for reconsideration. Talking to HT, the director of the Corporation Shyam Lal said that all the issues would be raised with state authorities during the meeting on May 18, 2006.