Jammu, Aug 5: Work was partially affected in the Government departments across Jammu region as a section of the employees went on two day strike from today to protest delay in the release of 6th Pay Commission arrears and the state government’s failure to meet other demands.
 The Joint Consultative Committee (JCC), claiming to represent nearly 40 employees unions, has given the strike call to press the demands of the employees.
 With many unions deciding not to take part in the strike, routine work remained unaffected in some offices, while employees’ groups who supported the strike call held protests against the government amid shouting of slogans.
 Sources said that differences among the unions were visible as 33 employees associations of essential services departments had already declared not to participate in the strike few days back.
 Demonstration were held outside Divisional Commissioner’s office, Jammu, DC office, Agriculture and Horticulture departments, but very few employees turned up at Press Club , the main venue of the protest . 
 Meanwhile, leaders of Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) have threatened to intensify agitation if the government continued to ignore the demands of the employees, including release of 6th pay commission arrears.
 They alleged that the government was making every effort to divide the 4.50 lakh workers rather than meeting their demands.
 JCC senior leader, Ram Kumar claimed that the strike was a big success and the employees sent a message to the government that it can no longer befool them.
 He further claimed that barring some groups, most of the employees unions   supported the strike call.
  The JCC leader   called upon the employees to take out protest rallies across the tomorrow city to register their protest against the administration, which has backtracked from its commitment.
 “We had given enough time to the NC-Congress regime, but it has always betrayed the employees. Despite agreement on regularization of adhoc and contractual employees, nothing has been done so far”, said Babu Hussain Malik.
 As a part of its two day programme, the employees had decided to struck work and stage protest demonstrations at their respective offices on August 5 and on August 6, employees have decided to hold protest demonstrations at their respective district headquarters in support of their pending demands.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 5 Aug 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 5 Aug 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 6 Aug 2011 00:00:00 IST