PDD workers stage protest

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 27: Need based workers and casual  labourers of  Power Development Department (PDD) held strong protest demonstration and dharna at Chief Engineer’s office here today.
A large number of temporary workers under the banner of J&K National Trade Union Front  (NTUF) led by Mohd Gafoor Dar assembled  in front of the office of Chief Engineer M&RE at Canal Road here today  and held strong protest demonstration.   They were demanding release of their pending wages.
After holding protest demonstration and raising slogans demanding their wages and also shouting slogans against the higher authorities, the workers then sat on day long dharna in the office complex of Chief Engineer. Several trade unionists also addressed the gathering.
While speaking on the occasion Mohd Gafoor Dar strongly criticized the authorities for not releasing the wages of the PDD workers. He alleged that their families were facing starvation and children are unable to pay their school fee.  He said several representations were given to the Chief Engineer and even the Commissioner/ Secretary PDD by  the NTUF and other unions of the workers but the officers have not taken note of it.
Dar further said that department is utilizing the services of  these hapless workers but in turn denying them their hard earned wages. He said the workers were being forced to intensify their agitation.
NTUF vice president, Akhil Sharma also spoke on the occasion and urged upon the chief Engineer M&RE to intervene personally otherwise workers  would intensify their struggle. Shamsher Singh  and Ashish verma also addressed the gathering.