Day 1 of cease work paralyses Govt offices
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 22 2018: The indefinite cease work strike launched since today under the stewardship of the JAC and AMTUC and AMGEO literally paralysed most Government offices.

The JAC has been demanding implementation of the recommendations of the 7th Central Pay with respect to State Government employees and pensioners with retrospective effect from January 1, 2016 .

According to the JAC, the Chief Minister had repeatedly given verbal assurance to implement the 7th Pay but he has been unable to give any definite assurance in black and white to fulfil the same demand.

The JAC has been decrying that the Government has been paying little attention to the employees' demand on the pretext that it does not have resources to implement the 7th Pay.

Day 1 of cease work paralyses Govt offices

Although, employees of most Government departments came to their respective offices as usual, they did not do any official work today.

Even though the cease work strike had little impact on the Secretariat, normal functions of other offices located in the State capital and surrounding areas were severely affected.

The series of press conferences organised by DIPR at their Moirangkhom complex was not held today and it is unlikely to be held tomorrow too, according to information received by the press.

However, press release issued by the DIPR Assistant Publicity Officer (Press) maintained that the routine press conference could not be held today due to 'technical difficulties' .

On the other hand, one JAC functionary told The Sangai Express that employees attended office but they did not do any official works at Imphal East DC office, RD&PR office, Agriculture Department, Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Department, Horticulture and Soil Conservation Department, Social Welfare Department, Town Planning office, Tourism Department, Education (S) Department, Revenue, CADA, Economics and Statistics Department, Election Department, Weight and Measures Department, Settlement Office, Labour and Employment Department, Relief and Disaster Management office etc.

JAC members divided themselves into three teams namely Eastern, Western and Central, and they went to different offices/department, talked with Government employees about the ongoing agitation and they reportedly expressed support to the JAC's cause, said the source.

The JAC teams asked all employees to attend their offices as usual but stay away from all official works.

The JAC functionary maintained that they would continue with the cease work strike until and unless the demand for 7th Pay is fulfilled.

Meanwhile, the Manipur Government Services Federation (MGSF) too has decided to launch an indefinite cease work strike from April 2 in case the Government does not come out with a concrete announcement for implementation of the 7th Pay at the earliest.

One MGSF functionary said that they have been keeping agitation of different modes in hold in view of the closure of the financial year.