No retreat sans positive response: JAC
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 05 2018:
The JAC of AMTUC and AMGEO has declared that they would never suspend the ongoing indefinite cease work strike until and unless a positive response to their demand for implementation of the 7th Pay with respect to State Government employees and pensioners is received from the State Government.
Speaking to media persons here today, JAC secretary general Laitonjam Biken said that the cease work strike launched on March 22 has completed 15 days today and employees would refrain from entering their office rooms from tomorrow.
The JAC launched the cease work strike after holding meetings with the Chief Minister four times on the former's 22-point charter of demands, the foremost being implementation of the 7th Pay, Biken said.
Rather than giving any positive response during these 15 days of cease work strike, the Government, using its police force, has been searching for the JAC's core committee and executive council members with an obvious intention to put them behind bars, he decried and added that such high-handed tactics would not help in bringing any solution.
The secretary general categorically stated that the agitation would be put on hold if the Government opens rooms for solution otherwise there is no question of suspending the strike.
It was during the Chief Ministership of late RK Jaichandra that the 4th Pay was given to the State after 15 days of strike by employees.
Before this, no Central Pay scales were given to State Government employees and pensioners, Biken said.
It was during the Chief Ministership of late W Nipamahca and O Ibobi that the 5th Pay and 6th Pay were given to State Government employees and pensioners.
One common and anxious question of State Government employees and pensioners is how long the Chief Minister would take before the 7th Pay is implemented, Biken said.
Most States where BJP is in power have already implemented the 7th Pay.
As such, the agitation would go on until and unless the Government works out a formula for a final solution to the issue, he added.
On behalf of the JAC, Biken condoled the sudden demise of Khelen Thokchom, Special Correspondent of The Telegraph.