(a) whether it is a fact that public sector employees whose statutory dues amounting to Rs. 1365 crore as on June 30, 2004 have not been paid by various Central Public Sector Undertakings (CPSUs);
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the steps taken by the Government for payment of all statutory dues to workers of CPSUs?
THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF HEAVY INDUSTRIES AND PUBLIC ENTERPRISES (SHRI SONTOSH MOHAN DEV)
(a) to (b) : The outstanding amount of Rs.1365 crores as on 30.6.2004 on account of statutory dues and salary/wages of employees of the relevant Central Public Sector Enterprises (CSPEs) referred to in part (a), has since come down to Rs. 399.72 crores as on 28.2.2005 as per available information (details annexed).
(c) : CPSEs have been advised by the Government to clear outstanding dues to their employees in the following manner:
(i) CPSEs that are capable of clearing the outstanding dues to their employees are to do so expeditiously.
(ii) CPSEs that may take time to raise resources by selling surplus assets to clear the dues are to mobilize funds from the market, for which Government may stand guarantee and give interest subsidy as necessary.
(iii) whenever legal issues are involved, the concerned administrative Ministry are to explore out-of-Court settlement or to refer the case to Ministry of Law to expedite resolution of the issue.
(iv) CPSEs facing financial difficulties are to submit specific action plans for revival/closure/disinvestment of the CPSE/unit thereof to avail of one time financial assistance from the Government to clear the dues expeditiously.