FIRDOUS TAK
Jammu, Apr 13: With various employees’ unions announcing to start agitation to press for their demands, including enhancement of retirement age, the state government seems to be in no mood to hold fresh parlays over the issues.
 It was reliably learnt that the Cabinet Sub Committee – constituted by the state government to examine various issues with regard to employees – has not so far considered any proposal to start fresh negotiation with the employees unions, which have already announced one-day strike across the state on April 17.
 “There is no reason for holding fresh dialogue. The government is already considering all the demands of the employees and the unions’ representatives have been heard on several occasions”, a member of the Sub-Committee told Greater Kashmir, preferring not to be named.
 Minister for PHE and Irrigation, Taj Mohiu-ud-Din, who is one of the members of the Sub Committee, said the Sub Committee has not received any instruction from the government in this regard. “The Finance Minister, who heads the Sub Committee, is presently out of station and in his absence no such decision can be taken,” Taj said.
 However, at the same time the government is understood to garner some more time to take a final decision on the issue of retirement age. “The issue has to be settled but it will take time”, a senior government functionary said adding, “Such decisions can’t be taken in haste.”
 The high-level committee, constituted to examine the demand of the employees for hike in the retirement age from 58 to 60 years, is also set to submit its report to the government by this month. Though the Committee had earlier shared its preliminary report with the government, the final recommendations were awaited.
 When contacted, Chief Secretary Madhav Lal said that there was no issue for the employees’ unions to go for a strike when the government is already considering their demands. “The committee comprised of top most officials of the state has deliberated over the issue after seeking reports from various departments, including Finance. We are at the final stage of preparing our report and same will be submitted to the government this month”, the Chief Secretary said.
 Asserting that there was no deliberate delay in submitting the report, which was earlier to be filed in March, Madhav Lal said that there were various impediments including the busy schedule of the members in the just concluded budget session of Assembly.
 Sources said that the Committee has tried to find a “middle path” with regard to the retirement age issue and if all goes well the government may enhance the age by another year.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 13 Apr 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 13 Apr 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 14 Apr 2012 00:00:00 IST