PDD casual labourers call for hunger strike in Kupwara

Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Mar 31: Nearly 250 casual labourers from Power Development Department have called an indefinite hunger strike over regularisation and non payment of Salaries from last two years in North Kashmir’s Kupwara district.
President Casual Labourers Association PDD Kupwara, said despite being on their toes round the clock the department has been rigid toward them and they have not been given any salary from last two years.
“Every labourer has been sanctioned three- four transformers and we are tirelessly doing the job. But they are not giving us a single penny for our services. The technicians who work in the office are given their salaries without any delay,” he said, adding, “Chief engineer is saying that he has issued the salaries but it seems someone is gobbling the money in the midway and nothing reaches us. What would our children eat? Who will pay for their school fee?”
Executive Engineer PDD, Mohammad Shafi said they have sent the assessment report to the Chief Engineer and as soon as the money comes we will immediately disburse it”.  When asked about the partial release of salaries he said, “We have only given salaries to some of the accidental cases on humanitarian bases. Also, we have given salaries to some of the workshop employees but that comes under district plan.”