The Centre has secured the future of nearly 65,000 erstwhile Ordnance Factory employees by redeploying them into regular government service, Union Minister of State Dr. Jitendra Singh said on Sunday.
The announcement came during a meeting with a 19-member delegation representing the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) and its affiliated employees’ organisations, who met the minister to discuss issues concerning government employees, pensioners and administrative reforms.
The delegation welcomed the government’s decision to redeploy former Ordnance Factory Board employees into regular government service, describing it as a landmark measure that has ensured long-term service security for thousands of employees following the restructuring and corporatisation of the Ordnance Factory Board.
The delegation included representatives from the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS), Bharatiya Pratiraksha Mazdoor Sangh (BPMS), Government Employees National Confederation (GENC), Public Sector Employees National Confederation, SHAR Employees Trade Union, and the Space Employees Association, representing personnel from defence establishments, public sector organisations, scientific institutions and various Central government departments.
Welcoming the delegation, Singh appreciated the constructive role played by employee organisations in bringing service-related issues before the government through institutional dialogue. He said regular interaction with stakeholders strengthens governance and helps ensure the timely resolution of issues concerning government employees and pensioners.
The delegation thanked Singh for his role as a member of the Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM) in supporting the extension of the deemed deputation of former Ordnance Factory employees until their retirement. Members said the subsequent decision to absorb these employees into regular government service had addressed one of the most significant concerns arising from the corporatisation of the Ordnance Factory Board.
During the meeting, the delegation also raised several service-related issues requiring further consideration, including extending the benefits of the Old Pension Scheme to employees appointed on compassionate grounds, career progression, cadre-related matters and broader stakeholder consultations on personnel-related reforms.
The representatives also appreciated the government’s continued engagement with recognised employee organisations during discussions on personnel administration and future policy initiatives. They suggested that administrative procedures should be further simplified to reduce avoidable litigation and ensure faster resolution of service-related grievances.
Responding to the delegation, Singh said the government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, remains committed to a consultative and responsive approach in addressing issues concerning government employees and pensioners.
He said every genuine representation receives due consideration through the appropriate ministries and departments, adding that suggestions aimed at improving governance, simplifying procedures and enhancing administrative efficiency are always welcomed.
The minister further said the government has consistently focused on making governance more transparent, efficient and citizen-centric through progressive administrative reforms. He noted that sustained dialogue with employee organisations plays an important role in identifying practical challenges and formulating appropriate policy responses in the larger public interest.
The delegation expressed confidence that the government would continue to pursue employee-friendly reforms while maintaining regular consultations with representative organisations on issues relating to service conditions, pension administration and personnel management. The members also thanked Singh for providing an opportunity to present their concerns and appreciated the government’s consultative approach towards addressing employee-related issues.
