Employees strike affects essential services

Imphal, May 25 (UNI) The indefinite ceasework by Manipur government employees, demanding pay hike and rectification of pay anomalies, entered the 36th day, today.

The Joint Administrative Council (JAC) of All Manipur Government Employees' Organisation and All Manipur Trade Union Congress (AMTUC), spearheading the strike, also demanded fixation of retirement age at 60 instead of 58 at present and regularisation of adhoc employees.

Due to the strike all emergency services and the OPDs were closed down and patients were compelled to go to private hospitals and the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) for treatment.

The Public Health Engineering department responsible for providing water has also threatened to join the stir from today and suspend water supply in the entire state.

Meanwhile, Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh appealed to all the state government employees to call off the strike in the interest of the people.

The Chief Minister said employees were demanding 71 per cent DA enjoyed by the central government employees. At present they are given 59 per cent.

If the state government concedes to the demand of the employees an additional Rs 6.90 crores would be spent from the state exchequer every month, he added.

Referring to the demand to appoint adhoc employees as regular ones, he said there is a directive from the Supreme Court and the government cannot act on the matter on its own.

UNI NS TJP PA DS1407