About 2,000 Indian Army veterans employed as security guards in hospitals run by the Delhi government face an uncertain future after the government proposed to replace them with men from private firms.
The Delhi government floated a tender to rope in private security contractors to guard the hospitals, creating a sense of insecurity for the men who stand to lose their jobs.
The Directorate General Resettlement (DGR) branch of the ministry of defence, which is responsible for ensuring welfare of retired army personnel, has commenced talks with the Delhi government to find a solution to the issue.
The new plan would effectively deprive DGR of the opportunity to contribute in the process, leaving the ex-servicemen jobless, said retired colonel S.S. Rathee, who is associated with a security agency under the DGR.
"The ex-servicemen come back home after serving their country for 15 to 20 years and are dependent on such resettlement opportunities to support their family. The job as a security guard provides them with stability and income at a crucial stage of their lives," he added.
According to the DGR, the Delhi government claimed that private security guards would come in cheaper as a 14 per cent service charge was applicable in the case of ex-servicemen.
Fourteen per cent of the gross wages of security guards is paid to the contractor.
"Under the new tendering process, they are talking about zero per cent service charge," said retired colonel Ajay Ahuja, who is also associated with a security agency under the DGR.
Tara Chand, 45, who has been posted as a security guard at the GB Pant Hospital, said he was worried about what the future holds for him and his family.
"I have been posted as a security guard at this hospital for two years and earn Rs 20,000 per month. I have a big family comprising my wife, children, brother and father. We somehow manage to make ends meet with my salary and some other sources of income but I am worried about the future," he said.
A senior official of the Delhi government's health department said a retired army man came to meet him to apprise him of the issue and they are looking into the matter.
"We have deputed a special secretary on the job to look into the case. So, let the report come in first," the official said.
