Media Release

Delhi, Mar 11: Dakshina Kannada MP Capt Brijesh Chowta met petroleum and natural gas secretary Pankaj Jain in Delhi on Monday, urging immediate intervention in the long-pending concerns of employees at the Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Limited (ISPRL) facility in Mangaluru.

In a letter submitted to the ministry, Capt Chowta highlighted the lack of a structured Human Resources (HR) policy at ISPRL, which has led to persistent difficulties for employees over the past eight years.

“Concerns of people, especially in strategically important institutions, should be resolved on priority. Our government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has always prioritized the welfare of people, as seen in the quick resolution of the GMPL issue. I am positive that this issue will also be addressed at the earliest,” Capt Chowta said.

Key concerns raised

For over eight years, ISPRL employees, including members of Project Displaced Families (PDFs), have faced multiple challenges due to the absence of a formal HR policy. Capt Chowta’s letter highlighted several critical issues, including:

• Unequal pay and allowances: Employees directly recruited by ISPRL receive significantly lower salaries and benefits compared to officers on deputation from oil PSUs, who continue to enjoy allowances from their parent organizations.
• Lack of career progression: Many employees have remained in the same grade for over five years due to the absence of a promotion policy.
• Disparities in working conditions: ISPRL employees in Mangaluru work six days a week, whereas deputed officers at ISPRL’s Noida headquarters follow a five-day work schedule.
• Inadequate medical and welfare benefits: Employees handling hazardous hydrocarbons lack proper medical coverage, provident fund, gratuity, shift allowances, and accident compensation.
• Extended training periods for PDFs: Unlike other industries where training lasts one year, PDFs at ISPRL undergo two years of training without justification, affecting their career growth.

Seeking urgent intervention, Capt Chowta urged the petroleum ministry to provide interim relief, including salary parity, allowances, and career progression opportunities for affected employees.