(a) whether the Union Government have made a provision of Rs. 83.62 crore in budgetary estimate for 2001-2002 as grants in aid to the Bharat Gold Mines Limited (BGML);
(b) if so, whether this aid is likely to be utilized for the help of those employees who have opted for the Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) for the save of terminal benefits only;
(c) if so, the number of employees of BGML who have opted for VRS; and
(d) the amount that has been paid or likely to be paid to them?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF MINES (SHRI JAYSINGRAO GAIKWAD PATIL)
(a) Yes, Sir
(b) to (d) The Govt. has been announcing Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) /Voluntary Separation Scheme (VSS) from time to time. The last VSS was opened on 10.12.2000 for one month. The VSS stood extended upto 28.2.2001 in terms of order of High Court of Karnataka and the budget provision was made in anticipation of VSS from the employees. BGML stands closed with effect from 1.3.2001 under Section 25(O) of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 in terms of Ministry of Labour, Government of India order dated 29.1.2001. Therefore the question of re-introducing VRS/VSS does not arise. However, the question of winding up / closure of BGML is sub-judice before Division Bench of Karnataka.