Muslim cleric for shifting of namaz timings in view of Holi

Agencies

February 28, 2018

Lucknow, Feb 28: In a show of communal harmony, a noted Muslim cleric here has shifted the timing of the Friday namaz prayers by an hour in order to avoid any clash with Holi revellers and also appealed others to do the same.

Imam-e-Eidgah Maulana Khalid Rasheed Firangi Mahli, who is also executive committee member of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), appealed to the imams of different mosques, especially those in sensitive areas, to shift the timing of the Friday prayers by 30 minutes to an hour and, in the process, send a message of communal amity. "...we have shifted the prayer timings by an hour at the Idgah here. It will now be held at 1.45 PM," Farangi Mahli said.

"In the past, there have been incidents of riots breaking out with the Holi revellers throwing colour on those going to offer namaz...we have taken this step especially keeping in mind the senstivity in the mixed population areas," he said. The cleric said that Shia scholar Maulana Kalbe Jawwad has also decided to shift the prayer timings at the Asifi mosque where it will be held this time at 1 PM instead of 12.20 PM.

He said this decision will send a positive message to the country abroad and remove the impression that an atmosphere of communal tension prevailed in India. Pointing out at the examples in the past of similar action being taken by the Hindu community, Farangi Mahli said that Lord Jagganath Yatra this year was delayed by two hours and the route was also changed when it coincided with Bakrid.

"During the Ramazan too, we had made an appeal to three families who had their weddings scheduled at the Ram Lila ground opposite the Idgah to postpone fireworks, DJ and music programme while the "tarabi" was performed between 7.30 PM to 10.30 PM and they obliged willingly," he pointed out.

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No more agency jobs? Karnataka panel pushes for end to job outsourcing by 2028

News Network

November 21,2025

Bengaluru, Nov 21: The Karnataka government is facing pressure to overhaul its employment system after a high-level Cabinet sub-committee recommended the complete phase-out of job outsourcing in government offices, boards, and corporations by March 2028. The move is aimed at tackling a systemic issue that has led to the potential violation of constitutional reservation policies and the exploitation of workers.

The Call for Systemic Change

With over three lakh vacant posts currently being filled through private agencies on an outsource, insource, or daily wage basis, the sub-committee highlighted a significant lapse. "As a result, reservations are not being followed as per the Constitution and state laws. It’s an urgent need to take serious steps to change the system. It has been recommended to completely stop the system of outsourcing by March 2028," the panel stated in a document.

The practice of outsourcing involves private companies hiring workers to perform duties for a government agency. Critics argue this model results in lesser salaries, a lack of social security benefits (otherwise available to permanent government employees), and a failure to adhere to the provisions of Articles 14 and 15 of the Constitution, which guarantee equality before the law and prohibit discrimination.

The 'Bidar Model' as a Stop-Gap Solution

To regulate the current mode of employment and reduce worker exploitation until the 2028 deadline, the government plans to establish workers’ services multi-purpose cooperative societies across all districts, following the successful "Bidar Model."

The Bidar District Services of Labour Multi-purpose Cooperative Society Ltd., which operates under the District Commissioner, is cited as a successful example of providing a measure of social security to outsourced staff. Labour Department officials argue this society ensures workers receive their due wages and statutory facilities like ESI (Employees' State Insurance) and PF (Provident Fund), in exchange for a 1% service fee collected from the employees.

legislative push and Priority Insourcing

The recommendations, led by the sub-committee headed by Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil, are set to be discussed at the next Cabinet meeting. The committee has proposed the introduction of the Karnataka Outsourced Employees (Regulation, Placement and Welfare) Bill 2025.

In a move addressing immediate concerns, Labour Minister Santosh Lad, a member of the sub-committee, has reportedly assured that steps will be taken over the next 2-3 years to insource workers in "life-threatening services" on a priority basis. This includes essential personnel like pourakarmikas (sanitation workers), drivers, electrical staff in the Energy Department, and Health Department staff handling contagious diseases. The transition aims to grant these workers the long-term security and benefits they currently lack under the outsourcing system.

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