Mumtaz Ahmed Bhatti
ISLAMABAD, DEC 1: /DNA/ – The decision by the Secretary of the Punjab Forest Department to transfer over 250 low-paid employees, including forest guards, foresters, and clerks, to remote areas has sparked significant concern and criticism.
These employees, hailing from districts such as Murree, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Gujrat, Mandi Bahauddin, Sialkot, and Narowal, find themselves in a challenging situation due to a lack of essential facilities. The absence of transport allowances, daily allowances (TA/DA), or accommodations compounds their difficulties, leading to justified calls for reevaluating such transfers.
The Punjab Forest Department, like many public organizations, plays a critical role in conserving forests, maintaining biodiversity, and implementing environmental policies. Field employees such as forest guards and foresters are the backbone of such initiatives. They are tasked with duties that include forest surveillance, wildlife protection, and ensuring compliance with conservation laws.
While the importance of their roles cannot be overstated, these employees often work under challenging conditions with limited resources.The recent transfer orders for over 250 low-paid employees to remote forest divisions are reportedly aimed at addressing staffing shortages in these regions. However, the manner in which these transfers have been implemented has drawn criticism.
The absence of travel and daily allowances (TA/DA) places a significant financial burden on low-paid employees. Many of these workers have salaries barely sufficient to support their families under normal circumstances.Low-paid workers cannot afford private rental accommodations in distant locations, leaving them vulnerable to instability.
