CONRAD DIAS
Ranchi, Aug 2: Salesmen working in 1,529 liquor shops across Jharkhand have not received their salaries for the last three months.
However, it is noteworthy that revenue from liquor sales worth Rs one crore is being received every day.
The salesmen working in the shops had earlier complained to the Deputy Commissioner of their respective districts.
The salesmen said that the company had taken recruitment through the Employment Exchange and the Deputy Commissioner’s office to work in liquor shops, but the company is not complying with the Labor Act. If the salary is not paid on time, the shops will shut down.
Sudhir Kumar, GM operation of Jharkhand State Beverage Corporation Limited (JSBCL), spoke to lagatar24.com and informed that there were some issues regarding the verification of workers, hence, their salaries were kept on hold. However, he confirmed that their salaries will be paid soon.
Under the new excise policy, liquor shops are being operated by JSBCL. Through different agencies, they have been entrusted with the responsibility of sales at liquor shops. However, since the shops have opened under the new system, the workers have not received their salaries.
Every liquor shop across the state has been deployed with one supervisor and two helpers to help in the management.
Moreover, as informed by an excise official, JSBCL has provided pos machines to many liquor shops across Jharkhand but the shops tend to take cash from customers and when asked about the online mode of payment they either say that there is no pos machine available with them or there is no link.
Kumar added that they have received complaints regarding the issue and are taking necessary steps towards it. He added that they are planning to equip all the liquor shops across Jharkhand with pos machines by August 15.
