Srinagar, Jan 11: The Joint Consultative Committee, an umbrella body of various government employees’ unions and associations in Jammu and Kashmir, Friday said their fifth phase of agitation will commence in February. The time in between, according to the Committee, shall serve as a “breathing space” for the state government.
The employees are demanding increase in the retirement age besides regularization of daily-wagers.
The JCC announced its fifth phase of agitation as: Complete strike from 19th to 23rd February; Demonstrations at all district headquarters on 19th February; Hoisting black flags atop government offices on 20th, 21st  and 22nd  February. It will be followed by ‘gate demonstrations’ on all the three days.
“On 23rd February, massive demonstration will be held at Press Enclave in Srinagar and outside Civil Secretariat in Jammu amid complete strike,” said senior JCC leader, Khursheed Alam, here.
Taking a dig at the Law and Paramilitary Affairs Minister Ali Muhammad Sagar for saying that employees’ leaders were playing politics, Alam said: “It is childish on part of the minister to say that leaders are playing politics. We are just demanding implementation of the agreement between the JCC and the government.”
He said: “Thousands of daily-wagers are without salaries. They have been working from last 20 years on a meager amount. Is fighting for their rights politics?” he asked.
Another JCC leader, Farooq Ahmed Trali castigated the minister for his comment. “We appeal the employees to implement the JCC agitation calendar in letter and spirit on ground. The employees’ participation will give a befitting reply to those who accuse JCC of playing politics. Before accusing us, they should first realize who has violated the agreement,” Trali told Greater Kashmir.

JAMMU BUREAU ADDS
JCC leader Abdul Qayoom Wani told reporters in Jammu that the time till the fifth phase of agitation will be the ‘last breathing period’ for the government. “We will then go on indefinite strike. We gave a lot of time to the government but it did not show any concern towards the problems of employees. We are never in favour of confrontation but the government is forcing us to take this path. We won’t budge an inch because our demands are genuine,” he said.
Wani said JCC has unanimously decided to give ‘last chance’ to state government to concede to their genuine demands including regularization of daily-wagers, enhancement of retirement age from 58 to 60 years and removal of pay anomalies.
“State government is adopting delay tactics to concede to our demands because they are seeking political mileage for the general elections,” he said.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 11 Jan 2013 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 11 Jan 2013 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 12 Jan 2013 00:00:00 IST