Manipur CM appeals to state govt employees to call off strike

Imphal, May 23 (UNI) Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh today appealed to all the State Government employees to call off the strike in the interest of the people.

Addressing a press conference here today, he said the government had conceded to almost all the demands of the employees. The employees were demanding 71 per cent DA enjoyed by the Central Government employees while they were given 59 per cent, the Chief Minister said.

He said the government employees of other North Eastern states were also not enjoying the facilities conferred to central government employees, he added.

Mr Singh said if the State Government concedes to the demands of the employees, an additional Rs 6.90 crores will be incurred every month. As demanded by employees, rectification of pay anomaly will be carried out, he assured.

Referring to the demand to appoint the adhoc employees as regular ones, he said there was a directive from the Supreme Court and the government could not act on its own. He said the retirement age could not be increased to 60 instead of 58 as there were about 4 lakh unemployed youth in the State.

He expressed concern over the closure of government hospitals due to the strike, adding that the pulse polio immunisation programme in the state has been affected due to the strike.

He hinted that the government may do something if the employees calls off the strike, which entered its 34th day today.

UNI NS SP SHB DB1824