Casual labours of Agri Deptt continue protest for 12th consecutive day

Excelsior Correspondent

Casual labours of Agriculture Department raising slogans during protest at Jammu on Monday.
Casual labours of Agriculture Department raising slogans during protest at Jammu on Monday.

JAMMU, Oct 5: The casual labours of Agriculture Department continued their protest for the 12th consecutive day.
The casual labours from SM Farm Chinore, Agri Workshop, Seed Processing Plant and other sections participated in the protest under the banner of Department of Agriculture Casual Labour Union.
The protesters assembled at Agriculture Department, Talab Tillo and raised slogans against the Government. They demanded immediate redressal of their demands.
President of the union, Rajan Sharma while speaking said that their union is not associated with JCC or Employees Joint Action Committee. He requested both the unions not to interfere in their matter.
He expressed resentment over the delaying tactics of the Government to frame the policy for the regularization of the casual labours.
Rajan said that the record of 251 casual labours’ is lying with the Administrative Department for regularization but till date nothing has been done.
Sharma urged the Government that the casual labours of the Agri Department are drawing the wages on muster sheets through Government treasuries since 1994 and their case is fit for regularization. Moreover, the demand of casual labours for regularization is already in the agreement which was held on September 15, 2011 in between JCC and State Government.
Among others, who spoke were Rajinder Kumar, Pitamber Nath, Anil Gandotra, Ravi Kumar, Tilak Raj, Ganesh Sharma, Amit Sharma, Bikram Singh, Baldev Chand, Vijay Kumar, Shakti Kumar, etc.
Later, a delegation of the Union met Director, Agriculture Department, SS Jamwal and apprised him about the demands. Director assured the delegation that their demands will be taken up with the concerned Minister for redressal.
Despite assurance, the union members said that they will continue their dharna till their demands are redressed.