Srinagar, Sep 5: Over four lakh state government employees will begin their 3-day pen-down strike from Tuesday to seek release of arrears as another round of talks between government and employees’ representatives failed to break the deadlock today, sources said.
A 2-hour meeting between a team of government representatives headed by the Chief Secretary Madhav Lal and members of Joint Consultative Committee (JCC), an amalgam of various employees unions across the state ended on a low. However both sides agreed to continue talks tomorrow.
“We presented our point of view in the meeting and stressed that unless a practical solution is not put forth by the government, the strike will continue,” said Abdul Qayoom Wani, member JCC. Wani was part of the deliberations.
He said JCC members agreed to suggestion by the government representatives to meet again tomorrow. “We made it very clear to them that talks should be result-oriented. Employees will not call off strike on mere promises,” Wani said.
Besides the Chief Secretary, government was represented by Commissioner/Secretary General Administration Department, Muhammad Syed Khan, and Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, BB Vyas. While as heads of different employees unions represented state employees in the meeting.
JCC has called for employees’ march to Civil Secretariat here on September 8 to press for their demands. The 4.5 lakh employees’ work force will observe complete pen down strike on September 6, 7 and 8.
Employees from all three regions of the state have been asked by JCC to march to Srinagar on September 8 and assemble at Pratap Park wherefrom they will take a procession to Civil Secretariat. JCC is demanding revisit by the government on roadmap for release of arrears due to employees since January 2006 on account of implementation of the 6th Pay Commission recommendations, enhancement in retirement age to 60 years from the present 58 and regularisation of all daily wagers.
The conglomerate has been accusing government of “backtracking” from all agreements made with its employees last year.
On September 3 the state Finance Minister, Abdul Rahim Rather had met JCC members to try and persuade them to call of the strike. However no agreement was reached upon in the meeting.
 Meanwhile, the Cabinet-Sub Committee today discussed various issues pertaining to the employee’s demands with Minister for Finance and Ladakh Affairs, AR Rather in chair.
 Minister for Rural Development, Ali Mohammad Sagar, Minister for Education, Peerzada Muhammad Sayeed, Minister for PHE, Irrigation & Flood Control, Taj Mohi-ud-Din, Minister for Industries and Commerce, SS Slathia, Chief Secretary, Madhav Lal, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, BB Vyas, Commissioner Secretary, Finance, Sudhanshu Panday were present in the meeting.
 The Cabinet-Sub Committee held wide ranging discussion on demands of employees, an official handout said.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 5 Sep 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 5 Sep 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 6 Sep 2011 00:00:00 IST