the core traits of ‘bad governance’.
Some officials of the HED, The News talked to defending the delay claimed that it was decided that the CTIs would be paid on quarterly basis (after every three months). Interestingly the contracts the CTIs signed did not mention the same and they were supposed to receive the stipend on monthly basis.
‘It is unfortunate that we have not been paid our monthly stipend during the last four months’, said a dejected CTI. Talking to The News a number of CTIs, who wished to remain anonymous, criticised the HED officials and management of their respective colleges saying their indifferent attitude had disappointed them greatly and strengthened the prevailing perception that public sector did not care for its people.
‘The CTIs don’t have a platform to raise their concerns through’, commented another intern while elaborating ‘This has left us totally helpless and therefore there has not been a unanimous voice over the issue of stipend during all these months’.
It is important to mention here that at the time of hiring the CTIs were categorically denied the right to form a union or association. ‘If anybody found indulging in such activities, his/her placement shall automatically stand cancelled’, reads the HED Punjab’s model placement order for the CTIs.
When contacted Secretary HED Muhammad Aslam Kamboh, who joined the office in the last week of January 2015, said the department would take care of the CTIs as they had been rendering great services. He said since the CTIs were not regular employees their payments were not routed through online process which was the main reason behind the delay.
Aslam Kamboh said now the Finance Department had re-appropriated Rs1.43 billion and the funds would be transferred to the colleges to pay arrears to all the CTIs during the ongoing month. He claimed arrangements had also been made to ensure that from March onwards the CTIs receive the stipend on monthly basis.