Struggling for earning livelihood... Woman facing difficulties in getting govt jobs for being married

SULAGNA SENGUPTA, SNS, Kolkata, 9 December 2014: Mrs Soma Mitra(45) a resident of Dum Dum, who lost her mother in the AMRI fire incident, is facing a tough time to earn her livelihood as she is yet to get a government job, for which she is eligible. She visited the Writers Building as well as Nabanna several times for seeking a government job, but her letter was cancelled on the ground that she was married.

"Nowhere the government order mentions that married women are not eligible for government jobs," she said questioning as to why was this discrepancy?

Unable to get a job in the public sector even after running from pillar to post, she is now working as a school teacher in a private school in Dum Dum and earning a meager salary of around Rs 3,000 per month.

Soon after the death of her mother, her husband divorced her and thus, she had to struggle for earning a minimal livelihood to look after her only son.

Staying in a rented apartment she even skipped her meals frequently just to save some money for his child.

Although three years have passed since the AMRI mishap took place, around 40 women who are relatives of the victim are yet to receive their government jobs as claimed by the state government.

The memo~(96/FR(4P-9/2012) which was issued by the state government dated 13th January 2012, stated that in the wake of accident honourable chief minister that a government job would be provided in case of death of a member of the family in that fire , and accordingly the state government has decided that one willing member from the family of each of the deceased persons would be eligible for government job against a Group C/Group D vacancy.

The relatives of the victim under the banner of AMRI fire victims association complained that the order mentioned, strictly that willing members of the family will get a job, but it was noticed that many of the relatives of the victim have not got the government job on the ground that they are married.

Mr Javed Khan, state minister for fire and emergency service department however said that, he has not received any complaints of AMRI victims relatives not getting government jobs, and if he gets any complaint he will look after the matter.

Mrs Chandrima Bhattacharya. MOS health said she is not aware of any such development. It may be mentioned that on 9th December 2011, 92 persons succumbed to injuries when a major fire broke out at AMRI Dhakuria unit.