Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 4: Concerned over the simmering discontent amongst the State Govt employees against the most despicable apathy shown by the present dispensation towards their legitimate concerns besides their harassment and intimidation, NPP chairman Harsh Dev Singh and former minister has cautioned the Govt not to treat them as disposals.
Addressing press conference here today, Singh regretted the neglect of the issues of these agitating employees who were being bullied, cane charged and made to languish on roads. He said that the Govt employees formed the back bone of any Govt and disregard for their concerns could prove highly counter-productive for any dispensation.
“Do not under-estimate their power and don’t take them for granted”, said Harsh Dev, adding further that the success of Govt policies largely depend upon the morale of its employees. They were not only opinion makers but influenced the political fortunes of the rulers by their working and public dealings. He condemned the brutal lathi-charge on NHM employees particularly the female employees several of whom were seriously wounded.
Urging upon the Chief Minister to hold talks with the protesting sections of contractual employees including NHM, Contractual Lecturers, MG-NREGA employees besides Anganwari and ASHA workers, Singh sought the early announcement of a job policy and their time bound regularization so that they were assured of sustainable livelihood. He said that the plea of financial constraints was not tenable as the Govt was not a fair weather shop so as to buy time for setting their demands till the improvement of its financial health. He maintained that the plea was further un-acceptable in a situation where the Ministers and MLAs had voted themselves hefty hikes with respect to their salaries, TA, DAs, PAs, sitting allowances, car and housing advances, CDF and other perks and privileges including luxury cars.
He regretted that not only were the contractual employees being denied their legitimate right of regularization but the negligible honorarium fixed for them also remained unpaid for months and years forcing them to starvation. He said that while any respectable person could afford to remain hungry, his self respect could never allow him to see his family starving despite he having executed his part of the assigned duties.
Cautioning the Govt to redress the genuine grievances of the contractual employees whose support base was growing with each passing day, Singh said that any further Govt laxity on its part could lead to an explosive situation.
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