Punjab De-addiction Centre Contract Employees Protest Retrospective Tax Deduction
Contractual staff employed under Punjab's District De-addiction Centres and Rehabilitation Society have voiced strong resentment following a directive from the state's health department. The order mandates a monthly deduction of Rs 200 from their salaries under the provisions of the Punjab State Development Tax Act, 2018.
Implementation of the Tax Directive
According to the official directive, the specified amount will be systematically deducted from all eligible contractual employees. These funds are to be deposited directly into the government treasury through an e-challan system. This move aligns with broader state government instructions aimed at implementing the Punjab State Development Tax specifically for contract workers covered under the 2018 legislation.
Widespread Discontent Among Employees
The enforcement of this tax has triggered significant discontent among employees working on contract at de-addiction centres and Outpatient Opioid Treatment clinics across Punjab. Parminder Singh, the state president of the De-addiction Employees' Union, Punjab, has publicly criticised the decision. He has urgently called upon the government to reconsider the retrospective recovery of these tax amounts.
Singh argued that the employees should not be held responsible for any previous failure to deduct the tax, describing it as a clear departmental lapse. He emphasised that the staff involved in the government's anti-drug campaign provide essential, round-the-clock services at de-addiction centres and clinics. Their dedicated efforts are a crucial component of the state's mission to achieve a drug-free Punjab.
Union's Stance and Financial Concerns
The union has clarified that employees are prepared to pay the Rs 200 per month prospectively, moving forward. However, they have made a strong appeal to the government to immediately halt the retrospective recovery of these dues. The union highlighted that workers could face a severe financial burden, with estimated back deductions ranging between Rs 18,000 and Rs 20,000 per employee.
This retrospective imposition places an undue strain on individuals who are already contributing tirelessly to public health initiatives, the union stated.
Potential for Agitation
In a firm warning, the union has indicated that if the government does not accept their demand to stop the retrospective tax recovery, employees may be compelled to launch a widespread agitation in the coming days. The union has stated that the Punjab government and the health department would be held directly responsible for any such course of action, which could disrupt critical de-addiction services across the state.
The situation remains tense as both sides await further developments, with contract employees advocating for fair treatment in line with their service to the community.
