Mr. Eswaraiah said many outsourced employees have been working at NEDCAP for over 15 years, performing duties equivalent to regular staff but receiving meagre wages and without statutory benefits. However, after 1987, employees recruited for similar roles were continued only as contract or outsourced staff. Mr. Eswaraiah alleged that in 2018, the then Vice-Chairman and Managing Director converted contract employees into outsourced staffs and awarded outsource contracts without proper tendering, causing hardship for over 100 families. Though the then NEDCAP Chairman reportedly recommended in 2022 that outsourced staff be reverted to contract status, no action was taken, he said. The CPI demanded conversion of outsourced staff into contract employees, implementation of equal pay for equal work, provision of EPF and family accident insurance, transparent recruitment through board approval and roster system and strict action against officials involved in irregularities.

Source: The Hindu January 28, 2026 13:53 UTC