Staff REPORTER
ITANAGAR, Feb 14: The All Arunachal Pradesh Workers Welfare Society (AAPWWS) has called for immediate release of funds sanctioned under the Arunachal Karmayogi Samman Nidhi scheme for workers retiring at the age of 60 years.
Addressing a press conference here on Saturday, AAPWWS general secretary Tage Digbak referred to a Government of Arunachal Pradesh order issued on February 28, 2025, and demanded that the declared benefits be disbursed to eligible workers without further delay.
Digbak informed that the organisation has also appealed to the state government to reconsider the minimum service requirement under the scheme. At present, only workers who have completed 20 years of service are eligible to avail the benefits. The AAPWWS has proposed reducing the minimum service requirement to 10 years so that more workers can benefit from the scheme.
On recruitment matters, the society suggested adoption of a 50:50 formula for posts recruited through the Arunachal Pradesh Staff Selection Board (APSSB). It recommended that 50 per cent of posts be filled through promotion of eligible employees already serving in the concerned departments, while the remaining 50 per cent be filled through direct recruitment as per prescribed rules.
The organisation further demanded that whenever Grade III and Grade IV posts are created in the Secretariat or other departments, priority should be given to long-serving casual and contingency workers. It urged that such eligible workers be considered for promotion against vacant posts without conducting interviews.
Expressing concern over the alleged influx of illegal migrant workers into the state, the AAPWWS claimed that many individuals are working without valid Inner Line Permits (ILP), labour licences, proper identification, or registration. It stated that such unauthorised employment violates existing laws and poses potential risks to public safety, security and lawful employment practices.
Digbak questioned who facilitates the engagement and supply of such workers without obtaining proper labour licences and necessary permissions from competent authorities. He urged the administration to maintain an accurate count of workers and labourers across the Itanagar Capital Region to prevent revenue loss due to non-compliance with statutory provisions and to ensure fair labour practices and employment opportunities for local youth.
The AAPWWS also demanded a thorough investigation to identify individuals, contractors, agencies, shops, establishments, small-scale industries, factories, educational institutions and hospitals — both government and private — allegedly involved in illegal labour supply.
“The government needs to take immediate corrective measures to stop these unlawful practices,” Digbak said, adding that the organisation would conduct its own verification and forward complaints to the concerned administrative and police authorities.