Patna, Nov 10: Patna High Court today directed Bihar government to initiate measures to revive sick public sector units in the interest of thousands of employees. A division bench comprising Chief Justice Ravi S Dhavan and Justice S K Singh asked Bihar chief secretary K A H Subramanian take steps to revive sick PSUs in the interests of the workers who would lose jobs as a result of the closure of these units.
They observed, "We live in a sovereign, socialist and democratic republic and, therefore, something should be done for those who are going to be affected by the closure of the sick units."
The judges said, "It is not an order but a suggestion to the government to do something for the employees."
The court also asked the chief secretary about the steps taken by the state government to disburse Rs 50 crore deposited with the high court five months ago following a directive by the Supreme Court towards the salaries and retirement benefits of employees.
"Distribution of outstanding salaries and retirement benefits to the employees is the duty of the state," the court observed and wanted to know as to why the Justice Uday Sinha (Retired) Committee appointed for identifying the genuine employees and distributing the money among them had not been provided office accommodation. Bureau Report