Alleging that government has breached the promise, the 4.5 lakh strong State work force has decided to observe two-day pen down strike from July 22 to press for implementation of the 6th Pay commission recommendations. Addressing mediapersons at Srinagar Municipal Corporation headquarters, Employees Joint Consultative Committee leaders accused the government of failing to fulfil the commitments made with the employees during cabinet sub-committee meeting in March.
“We feel cheated as the agreement that took place between government sub-committee and employees is not making any headway,” said EJAC-Q President Abdul Qayoom Wani flanked by leaders of EJAC-Jammu and Ladakh regions Ram Kumar Sharma and Syeda Ladakhi respectively.EJAC-K President Khurshid Alam said there are some bureaucrats who are trying to sabotage employees’ demands. “There are some people, who are giving wrong feedback to Chief Minister resulting in delay in fulfilling of our demands,” he said.
Annoyed over government’s approach, President of Secretariat Employees Association, Nazir Ahmad Mir said all government employees including contractual and daily-wagers will go on a two-day strike from July 22. “On July 22, the employees will protest outside their respective offices in the three regions of the State. On July 23, employees will observe pen-down strike,” Mir said.The EJAC-Q President said in case government continues with its “wrong approach” after the strike program, they would intensify their agitation. “We don’t have any reason other than resorting to strikes to press authorities to implement the 6th Pay Commission recommendations in total,” he said.
Stating that there are some “loopholes” in the agreement arrived with government, Wani said, “Despite some shortfalls, we still favour its implementation”.Giving a list of their demands, Alam said the arrears from January 1, 2006 should be released in the form of cash. “COLA should be converted into DA. House Rent Allowance should be brought at par with the employees of other states of India”. “Besides, we are demanding enhancement of the retirement age from 58 to 60, revising pay scale of employees, who joined government services after January 1, 2006, regularization of contractual, adhoc and casual workers as per the merit and State share for Aganwadi workers and helpers,” he said.
It may be recalled that the government employees last year resorted to State-wide strikes and protests to press for the implementation of 6th Pay Commission recommendations. Following frequent strikes and agitation, NC-led government formed a cabinet-sub committee and entered into an agreement with the employees in March this year.
The government, according to the agreement, agreed to revise the salary of employees of as per 6th Pay commission recommendations and also announced to release the arrears in yearly installments.
Source : The Daily Rising Kasmir.
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