MGSF, MSPU warn of strike from September 25
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, September 21 2023:
Representatives of Manipur Government Services Federation (MGSF) and Manipur State Pensioners' Union (MSPU) submitted a joint representation to the chief secretary, reiterating their charter of demands for addressing long-standing issues affecting employees, teachers, and pensioners in the state, while at the same time cautioning of joining the cease work strike planned by Manipur Secretariat Services Association (MSSA) from Monday.
The key demands highlighted in the representation include enhancement of dearness allowance (DA) for government employees and pensioners; restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) ; filling up vacant posts; timely promotion and Ml AGP implementation; systematic transfer and posting policy; prompt crediting of arrears in GPF accounts; transparent promotion procedures; timely release of pension benefits; early salary disbursement; fulfilment of doctors' demands; and consideration of enhanced retirement age.
In their joint representation, MGSF and MSPU emphasised the need to raise the DA for the state government employees and pensioners to be compatible with the central government's DA scale, currently at 42 per cent, to counter the impact of rising prices and inflation.
The two bodies urged the government to scrap the National Pension System (NPS) and revert to the Old Pension Scheme considering the Uncertainties faced by pensioners under the NPS.
The representation highlighted the urgent need to fill vacancies in various government departments and offices to alleviate overburdening on existing staff and improve functional efficiency.
It also stressed the importance of promptly addressing pending promotion cases and effectively implementing the Modified Assured Career Progression (MACP) Scheme.
The representation called for a systematic approach to employee transfer and posting to enhance administrative efficiency and prevent unwarranted harassment, ensuring public interest remains a priority.
The unions urged the government to promptly credit arrears of employees in their respective General Provident Fund (GPF) accounts, as per the agreement for Pay Commission recommendations.
The need for transparent promotion procedures and effective personnel management policies were also emphasised to prevent controversies and ensure smooth appointment's to key positions in various departments.
They also urged the government to expedite the release of pension benefits, as the delay causes financial hardships to pensioners, as well as to release employees' salaries on the first day of every month, in sync with practices in other states and the central government.
They further urged the government to fulfil the legitimate demands of doctors, including restoration of Non-Practicing Allowance (NPA) and equal service tenure.
The representation proposed considering an increase in the retirement age from 60 to 62 years, aligning with discussions at the central and state government levels.
MGSF and MSPU also requested an opportunity to discuss these demands in person before September 25 so as to address the concerns of employees, teachers, and pensioners in Manipur effectively, while cautioning that ignoring their demands will compel the two bodies to join the cease work strike initiated by the Manipur Secretariat Services' Association (MSSA) from Monday.