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| Employees likely to intensify agitation, react sharply to govt warning | | Govt yet to decide on Voluntary retirement of Aalam | | Bashir Assad
Srinagar, June 21: While government mulls to take action against its striking employees, trade union leaders today made it emphatically clear that their agitation will continue till government accepts its demands.
It seems that the standoff between the Omar Abdullah led coalition government and its 4.5 lakh employees culminate in a full fledged confrontation as both the government and the striking employees are reluctant to change their stated positions on issues like enhancement in retirement age from present 58 to 60, regularization of daily wagers and removal of pay anomalies. While hardening its stand after fresh warning from PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control Minister Taj Mohiuddin, the trade union leaders have decided to intensify their agitation.
"We have called for four days strike starting from July 9, by then if government even thinks of initiating any action against the agitating employees, we will further intensify the strike and the government has to bear the consequences" Khursheed Aalm, senior trade union leader told Early Times.
Reacting sharply to Taj's statement, Aalam said 4.5 lakh government employees in Jammu and Kashmir are fighting a constitutional and legal battle and their struggle cannot be described as illegal or unlawful.
"Government will have to shun the rigidity and honor its own agreements reached upon with the employees earlier and accept the recommendations of the Cabinet Sub Committee of which Taj sahib himself was a very important member" Khursheed reminded.
Pertinently Taj on Wednesday had said that the strike called by the employees is against rulings of the state High Court. " This strike is illegal and warrants action under law", senior minister and member of the cabinet sub committee which looks after the demands of the employees, Taj Mohiudin had said on Wednesday.
The minister had said the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has made it clear that government was not in a position to enhance the retirement age and there should not be any ambiguity over the issue. "Chief Minister is the head of the government and when he speaks on any issue, nobody else in the government needs to stretch it further", Taj had said adding that after the CM's statement, there stands no logic for calling a strike.
"Government will not behave as a mute spectator. Such actions need to be dealt in accordance with law, and you will see law taking its own course in the days to come", said the minister.
"High Court has called JCC strike as illegal. They had appealed in Supreme Court against the ruling where it was turned down", claimed Taj adding that government will implement the ruling on ground. He also hinted at arresting the JCC leaders.
While ruling out any fresh negotiations with the JCC leadership, Taj said that Chief Minister has refused to hold any talks, so there was no reason to engage JCC leadership at this point of time. He further added that even CSC will only be revived if CM wished so.
Meanwhile, authorities in the Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution System have sent the application of Khursheed seeking volunteer retirement from his services to the government for final call.
Director, Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (Kashmir), Mir Mushtaq Ahmad said that the process has been initiated in this regard while as the request has been sent to the government for consideration.
"Voluntary retirement is a normal process that government generally accepts provided there is no case pending against the person seeking voluntary retirement. We have forwarded all the relevant documents to various departments for their approval which may take some time," Ahmad said, adding that this is now up to the government whether it accepts Alam's request for voluntary retirement or not.
Pertinently Alam, who is also the president of leading employees union - Employees Joint Action Committee (EJAC) had announced voluntary retirement from service as a mark of protest against the Chief Minister's adverse remarks against him.
"I did what I said. Now ball is in the government's court; let's see what would be the outcome. I was not protesting for my own-self but for the future of 4.5 lakh employees who are the victims of government's apathy and anarchy," Alam, Early Times
"I don't know whether the government accepts or rejects my application but the CAPD authorities have given the additional charges of my post to the Assistant Director, Supplies," he said.
When asked what would be his reaction in case government rejects his resignation application, Alam said, "It is premature to say about the future course of action until government does not come clear on the matter." |
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