Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Aug 23: The daily wagers of the Power Development Department (PDD) in Ganderbal Circle today began a three-day strike to press for their demands.
The protesting employees, including PDL and TDL workers, expressed frustration that all executive engineers in the circle have failed to submit seniority lists to higher authorities despite multiple requests. They said that they are now on a three-day strike and, if their issues remain unaddressed, they will intensify their protests. “If our demands are not met within three days, we will escalate the protest with a sit-in,” one of the protesting workers said.
He added that they face numerous challenges, such as inadequate compensation for injuries sustained during work and transfers to distant locations despite low salaries. “Permanent employees are not transferred, but we are sent to other districts despite our meager salaries. We have repeatedly requested officials to address these issues, but nothing has changed,” he said.
The workers urged higher authorities in both the administration and their department to address their demands. “Our representations have been sent to the Deputy Commissioner and the PDD officials, but not a single demand has been met. Even the salaries in the Bandipora division area are stuck,” he added.
When contacted, SE Ganderbal, Balbir Singh, said that the seniority list is being finalized and will be released once the verification process is completed. “This is not a departmental delay; the information is being scrutinized for authenticity, and once finalized, it will be processed,” he said.
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