ARTEEV SHARMA
EARLY TIMES REPORT
JAMMU, Mar 10: Routine working in all government offices and Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) remained paralyzed across the State as the employees' strike entered its second consecutive day today.
Barring emergency services, employees of almost all departments, PSUs and Corporations stayed away from their respective duties insisting the administration to implement the already agreed demands. However, the Civil Secretariat employees did not participate in the strike and attended their offices as usual.
Joint Consultative Committee (JCC), an amalgam of all several employees association along with a faction of Employees Joint Action Committee has called for five days strike in support of their demands.
Meanwhile, people of the state would face more problems from tomorrow as another faction of Employees Joint Action Committee has called for three days strike.
The employees have been demanding payment of arrears of sixth Pay Commission, release of COLA, increase in the retirement age from 58 years to 60 years and regularisation of daily wagers, contractual and others working in different government departments.
"Though emergency services were exempted from the strike yet healthcare services in different hospitals affiliated with Government Medical Colleges Jammu and Srinagar (GMC), remained badly affected. Even Out Patient Departments (OPDs) were locked because of the strike by paramedical and other staff," reports said.
Besides, people across the state had to face several hardships as government officers remained locked and official work was boycotted by the employees.
In Jammu, hundreds of employees assembled at Town Hall and Government Medical College and Hospital Jammu under the banner of JCC and Employees Joint Consultative Committee (EJAC) and staged noisy protest demonstration. Most of the departments wore deserted look
While Out Patient Departments at GMC hospital wore a deserted look since paramedic staff was on strike on the consecutive second day and the patients had to return without any medical treatment.
Official sources said that the government requires Rs 4000 crore for payment of Sixth Pay Commission arrears with effect from January 1, 2006 to about 4.5 lakh employees. "The Government is committed to resolve the issues of the employees and it does not want any confrontation with its employees. The Government has assured that all arrears to be paid to employees as and when resources are available with it," a senior official said.
According to an economic survey, the state which faces huge fiscal deficit and completely dependent on the Centre's grants loses between Rs 40 to Rs 50 crore per day due to strikes of employees.
President EJAC and senior leader of JCC, Abdul Abdul Quyoom Wani said that employees are ready for "decisive" battle if their demands are not met till March 13.
He suggested that government immediately work for the resolution of the problems being faced by employees and their families.
Talking to media persons here, Ram Kumar Sharma, EJAC leader, said "Employees under the banner of Employees Joint Action Committee chalked out their strategy regarding three days strike, starting from tomorrow across Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh regions."
"While massive protests would be organized at district and tehsil headquarters March 12, a huge rally would be held at SMGS Hospital Jammu," he maintained.
He also expressed concern over certain media reports and said, "Some local dailies have carried baseless and unrealistic reports regarding employees strike. There was no effect of strike on government work till today and employees would go on strike from tomorrow."