22 lakh Maharashtra Government employees to go on strike from Monday

Mumbai, Aug 02 (ANI): Nearly 22 lakh employees of Maharashtra State Government, belonging to Maharashtriya Rajya Sarkari Madhyavarghi Sangatna will go on an indefinite strike from Monday demanding the implementation of the recommendations of sixth pay commission.

The teaching and non-teaching staffs of secondary schools and junior colleges are also expected to join the call.

The teachers of the universities and colleges in the state are on indefinite 'cease work' protest from July 14, demanding the assurance from government in writing.

Convenor of the Sangatana, R.G.Karnik, said the all the employees of the state government would cease work from Monday.

The Sangatana is demanding the implementation of all kinds of allowances, which are linked to Central Sixth Pay Commission scales, and other benefits should be extended to the State Government employees.

All employees of the state government including teaching staff of primary, secondary and junior colleges should get the same scales as are prescribed for teachers in central institutions without any cut.

The Coordination Committee of Teacher's Organizations, Bombay (CCTOB) alleged that the government is trying to suppress the employees.

"Although new scales have been announced, all of us stand to lose heavily because HRA (house rent allowance), CLA and transport allowance will now be calculated on the basis of old scales and each teacher and non - teaching staff will be losing upto tens of thousands of rupees on this account every year," CCTOB said.

In February Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan announced that his government would implement the recommendations of the sixth pay commission with effect from 2006 and with that decision the state will face an additional burden of Rs 8091 crore every year and it has to give Rs 16,370 crore as the arrears in next five years.

But then Chavan announced that the government would take decision on RA and transport allowance later. (ANI)