**Report: John Wilbert**
Port Blair, August 1, 2024:
Twenty-six Junior Engineers (On Contract) from the Department of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj under the Andaman and Nicobar Administration are grappling with severe financial difficulties, as they have not received their salaries for the past four months. Despite their continued work, the delay in file movement and lack of work extension have compounded their hardships.
The affected Junior Engineers, all are aged between 35 and 45, are finding it increasingly difficult to support their families. Many are struggling to meet essential expenses such as school fees, rent, and daily living costs. The prolonged salary delay has not only created financial strain but also caused significant mental distress.
An anonymous Junior Engineer expressed the gravity of the situation: “We are completely in the dark about the status of our salaries. Despite assurances that payments would be made, our salaries remain blocked for reasons we do not understand. We are deeply worried about our future and the well-being of our families.”
With no immediate prospects for alternative government jobs and mounting financial pressures, many of these engineers have resorted to taking high-interest loans to manage their daily expenses. The situation is dire, and the lack of a clear resolution is exacerbating their stress and anxiety.
Sources within the Directorate of Rural Development and Panchayat indicate that the necessary files have been submitted to the Chief Secretary’s office for approval. According to these sources, there are no pending files within the Department itself. The delay now appears to be in the Secretariat, where approval for the work extension and salary payments is awaited.
The Directorate has assured that once the required approvals are secured, the payments will be processed immediately. However, until then, the Junior Engineers remain in a precarious situation, struggling to make ends meet and facing an uncertain future.
The delay has underscored the need for prompt administrative action to address the concerns of these hardworking employees and alleviate their growing financial distress.
