Govt. defends tenure employment in ONGC

New Delhi, Dec 12 (UNI) Petroleum Minister Murli Deora today defended the practice of employing field operators for drilling operations of ONGC on a tenure basis, saying it was not possible to recruit all the employees on a regular basis and was also in tune with the Corporation's policy in changed business scenario.

Replying to a string of supplementaries on the issue, Mr Deora told the Rajya Sabha that of the 34,000 employees of ONGC, only 600 amounting to two per cent are tenure-based.

The minister said The Recruitment and Promotion Regulation, 1980 of ONGC has a provision for filling up posts by methods, which may be decided by the Coprporation.

''The Board of Directors has approved the policy of engagement of employees on a tenure basis. Even the Gujarat High Court has upheld it,'' he told the House.

Mr Deora said tenure-based engagements are not against regular posts, but are made according to work requirements, nature of job and required physical standards.

Also, the labour unions had been apprised of the rationale and need for the tenure-based engagements and the policy of ONGC in the changed business scenario, he said.

The minister further defended the practice by saying that tenure-based employees enjoy decent salary and emoluments.

Mr Deora informed that tenure-based employees enjoy almost 'pucca'' jobs with an initial employment of four years, extendable by four years for a maximum period of 12 years.

Not convinced from the minister's reply, Mr Tapan Kumar Sen (CPM) said such an arrangement might create a situation leading to strike in ONGC, a 'Navratna' company.

''BPCL has already served a notice for a three-day strike this month. Similar situation may be a distinct possibility in ONGC,'' he apprehended.

Mr. Jayantilal Barot (BJP) said ONGC operations had adversely affected agricultural land in Gujarat, and demanded employment for at least one member of 700-800 affected families.

UNI SKS MSJ DB1238