IPC panel directive: PPL, OGDCL told to stop hiring through contractors

A parliamentary panel on Monday directed the management of Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) and Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) to immediately stop hiring people through third party (contractors). National Assembly Standing Committee on Inter Provincial Co-ordination members issued this direction during its meeting held here with Ahmedan Khan Bugti in the chair.
The committee took up the issue of the status of implementation on the recommendations of the previous standing committee meetings by OGDCL and PPL. Status of implementation on the re-instatement cases of employees of PPL and other matters discussed in the meeting held on March 6, 2012 by OGDCL & PPL along with policy of oil and gas companies regarding welfare projects for locals.
The Managing Directors of PPL & OGDCL briefed the committee regarding the progress on previous recommendations of committee. The Chairman asked OGDCL to stop hiring through third party contractors, immediately, and those people whom work through the third party contractors should be regularised as soon as possible.
The Managing Director of PPL informed the committee that on the recommendation of the standing committee and after PPL's Board concurrence for a one-off special consideration, actions are under way to consider their reinstatement in service and heirs of late Moula Bux Bugti will be paid an ex gratia amount equivalent to full and final settlement of dues. The officials from the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Resources informed the committee that 250 employees will be reinstated step-wise. In the first step, 100 people will be reinstated in different companies.
The Managing Director of OGDCL informed the committee about the welfare projects for locals and its progress, that the Company believed that investing community development is our social, moral and ethical duty. The OGDCL works on five gas fields in Balochistan. In these fields the company has used a lot of money on health, education infrastructure and water supply. The committee showed its concern about the health problems faced by local people of Balochistan. As per the committee's query, OGDCL was asked why there were no hospitals of its own. The committee showed concern about the incomplete briefing given by OGDCL on welfare projects.
The meeting was attended by Haji Roz-ud-Din, Dr Imtiaz Sultan Bukhari, Syed Nasir Ali Shah. Ms Qudsia Arshad, Gul Muhammad Jakhrani, Dr Donya Aziz and Dr Araish Kumar MNAs, Federal Minister for Inter Provincial Co-ordination and senior officers from the concerned departments.