Low paid employees stage protest

Excelsior Correspondent
DODA, Sept 16: The low paid employees and pensioners held a strong protest demonstration at Bhaderwah town in district Doda today.
The protest programme was organised on the call given by All J&K Low Paid Employees Federation, supported by State Pensioners Association. A large number of employees and pensioners hailing from all the blocks of Bhaderwah held a massive protest demonstration at sub divisional headquarters.
Earlier, the employees and pensioners staged a massive dharna outside SDM office Bhaderwah and took out a procession which after passing through various bazaars of Bhaderwah town converted into a public meeting in Seri Bazaar. The protestors were raising slogans against the anti- employee and anti people policies of the Govt besides miserable healthcare facilities in Bhaderwah hospital, deplorable road conditions, overcharging of fare by transport agencies/ operators. The other local as well as general problems of employees and pensioners were also highlighted.
While addressing the gathering Abdul Majid Khan, State president of Low Paid Employees Federation severely criticized the anti- working class policies of the Govt. He urged upon the Govt to immediately release the DA in cash due from July 2015 in favour of State employees and pensioners besides enhancing the medical allowance to Rs 1000 per month and removal of pay anomalies of clerks and redressal of grievances of teachers, village guards, numberdars, daily wagers, ReTs and Class IV employees.
Mr Khan alleged that Govt is enjoying luxuries by purchasing vehicles worth crores but the GP cases are pending for several months in the Govt Treasuries for want of funds. He criticized the Finance Deptt and the authorities in this regard.
Abdul Hafeez Fani, member State Committee of the Employees Federation criticized the step motherly treatment of Government towards Bhaderwah hospital. He alleged that there is shortage of doctors and even for minor healthcare problems people are constrained to move to Jammu.
The programme was presided over by Omkar Bhagat, president LPEF Bhaderwah unit. Trade unionists Abdul Latief and Pankaj Manhas also addressed the gathering.