Uttar Pradesh Outsource Services Corporation Launched to Ensure Transparency, Security and Dignity for Outsourced Workforce: CM Yogi
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that the relationship between the government and its employees is not limited to salary and work but is also built on trust and responsibility. He said an employee’s life should not be spent running around offices and completing paperwork, but should instead be devoted to discharging duties and securing a better future for the family.
The Chief Minister was speaking after launching the Uttar Pradesh Outsource Services Corporation (UPCOS) at Lok Bhawan. On the occasion, he launched the corporation’s website and digital portal and unveiled its logo. He also presented demo cheques to outsourced employees. An MoU between the Uttar Pradesh Outsource Services Corporation and the State Bank of India was exchanged in the presence of the Chief Minister.
CM Yogi said that the launch of UPCOS marks an important step towards establishing a modern and transparent system for more than 3 lakh outsourced personnel and their families, benefiting an estimated 17 to 20 lakh people associated with them.
He said that every employee should have the confidence that their service records are secure, their rights will be protected and an effective mechanism is available to listen to and resolve their grievances. The Chief Minister noted that the contribution of sanitation workers, pump operators, Secretariat employees, hospital staff and personnel associated with various government systems has been significant in Uttar Pradesh’s development journey over the past nine years under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Outsourced workforce to become organised, skilled, secure and dignified
The Chief Minister said the objective of UPCOS is to transform the outsourced workforce into an organised, skilled, secure and dignified workforce.
He said recruitment through the corporation would be conducted online, transparently and on the basis of qualification and merit, while ensuring compliance with the reservation policy of the state government. The new system will digitally connect the government, departments, agencies and employees through a transparent and technology-driven platform.
CM Yogi said that earlier, the system was divided among employees, agencies and the government, forcing workers to approach different offices for their problems. There was also no clear assurance regarding timely payment of salaries or social and service security.
Under UPCOS, manpower assessment, vacancy forecasting and human-resource planning will be undertaken. Recruitment, posting, attendance, salary, gratuity, insurance and other service benefits will be digitally managed and monitored.
Employees will be able to view their service details, bank account information, payments and deductions on the portal. They will also be able to register complaints online, track their status and receive time-bound resolutions. Real-time monitoring and reporting, along with accountability of nodal officers, will form part of the system.
Salary by the 5th of every month
The Chief Minister said that the monthly remuneration of outsourced employees would be credited directly into their bank accounts by the 5th of every month at the latest. EPF and ESI contributions would be deposited regularly.
Employees will be able to digitally access details related to their bank accounts, attendance, payments, deductions and other service-related information. The EPF amount will remain secured in the employee’s name, providing financial support after completion of service.
He further said that outsourced companies would no longer be able to terminate employees arbitrarily. A prescribed procedure would have to be followed before termination and the government would have to be informed. If a complaint is made against an employee, an inquiry would be conducted and action would be taken only if the allegations are found to be correct. Unnecessary harassment and exploitation would not be permitted.
Outsourced employees to be treated as human resource and asset
CM Yogi said that before 2017, outsourced employees were often viewed as a burden and complaints of exploitation through outsourcing agencies were received.
“Now, the government considers outsourced employees not a burden but the human resource and asset of the state,” he said, adding that UPCOS is a major step in this direction.
The corporation will make the entire process—from recruitment and deployment to payment and service security—more transparent and reduce the role of intermediaries.
Comprehensive social security and insurance cover
The Chief Minister said outsourced employees would receive treatment facilities through ESI. Where required facilities are not available at ESI hospitals, arrangements would be made to link employees with cashless healthcare facilities similar to those available under Ayushman Bharat.
Efforts are also being made to ensure statutory service benefits, including maternity leave.
The MoU signed with the State Bank of India will facilitate wider social-security benefits for outsourced employees. Depending on the salary category, families will receive accident insurance coverage ranging from ₹20 lakh to ₹40 lakh and ₹50 lakh in case of an accident or unforeseen incident.
In addition, assistance of up to ₹10 lakh in case of fire, up to ₹5 lakh for emergency medicines, and up to ₹10 lakh for emergency air ambulance services will be provided.
The Chief Minister said that in the event of the unfortunate death of an employee, the government would stand with the bereaved family. Assistance of up to ₹8 lakh for a son’s education, ₹10 lakh for a daughter’s education, and ₹8–10 lakh for the marriage of two daughters would be made available under the proposed support arrangements.
Arrangements are also being made for zero-balance accounts for employees and for extending special schemes to up to four family members through the employee’s bank account.
MSMEs and women contributing to state’s economic growth
CM Yogi said Uttar Pradesh has approximately 96 lakh MSME units, providing livelihood and employment opportunities to more than 3.15 crore people.
A single-window system has been created for MSMEs, while several approvals have been brought under the deemed-approval mechanism to reduce the need for entrepreneurs to visit government offices repeatedly. Large-scale investment proposals have been received and new industries are being established through ground-breaking ceremonies.
He also highlighted the contribution of women to the state’s economy. Nearly 1 crore women are participating in the development process through self-help groups and various economic activities.
Milk producer groups are successfully operating in areas including Jhansi, Agra, Lucknow, Raebareli, Varanasi and Gorakhpur, with more than 4 lakh women associated with such activities.
The Chief Minister said that when millions of women participate in economic activities, it strengthens not only individual families but the entire state economy.
Transparent recruitment system creating opportunities for youth
CM Yogi said that before 2017, young people faced uncertainty related to paper leaks, examination results, appointments and job security.
The state government has worked to transform the recruitment system, directing recruitment commissions and boards to function transparently. Strict action has been provided against those who compromise with the future of young people.
He said that over the past nine years, the state has succeeded in providing government jobs to around 9 lakh young people, with results of various examinations being announced continuously. The government has set a target of distributing appointment letters to around 1 lakh more youths over the next six months.
He said approximately 2.25 lakh personnel have been recruited into the Uttar Pradesh Police. The number of women personnel in the state police, which was around 10,000 up to 2017, has now increased to approximately 44,000 and is expected to rise further with upcoming recruitments.
Expansion of higher education across all 75 districts
The Chief Minister said the state government has adopted a new policy for expanding higher education and ensuring equal opportunities across all 75 districts.
With the establishment of universities in every division, higher education infrastructure has been expanded. He said discriminatory practices of the past have been replaced with a policy focused on equal opportunities.
Deputy Chief Ministers welcome UPCOS initiative
Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya said that under the guidance of the Prime Minister and the leadership of the Chief Minister, a new work culture based on good governance and transparency has developed in Uttar Pradesh.
He said UPCOS would safeguard the rights and dignity of outsourced employees, while employees would also have to discharge their responsibilities with full commitment.
Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak described the establishment of UPCOS as a historic step fulfilling a long-standing demand of outsourced employees.
He said the corporation provides a security cover to outsourced personnel, while also increasing their responsibilities. Employees must perform their duties with complete dedication and integrity. He said the increase in remuneration along with accident insurance and other social-security benefits reflects the sensitivity of the state government under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
A short film highlighting the functioning of UPCOS, its digital systems, protection of outsourced employees’ interests, employment and social-security facilities was also screened during the programme.
Principal Secretary, Secretariat Administration Manish Chauhan, Managing Director, Uttar Pradesh Outsource Services Corporation Amrita Soni, Chief General Manager, State Bank of India Dipesh Raj, and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.
