Imphal, February 25, 2010: Taking grim note of the ongoing ceasework agitation by Government employees affecting function of various departments, the Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh fervently appealed to the JAC of AMTUC and AMGEO to call off the strike in the interest of the people.

Reiterating that the SPF Government is committed in implementing the Sixth Pay Commission recommendation, the Chief Minister speaking as the chief guest of the Players' Day celebration at Khuman Lampak Indoor Stadium today, called upon the employees not to prolong the agitation as several important Government machinery are being derailed.

Accepting that the employees had been resorting to democratic form of agitation, O Ibobi nevertheless expressed concern that the ceasework strike is having adverse effect on essential services.

Asserting that disturbances being caused to essential services including medical, power and water supply owing to the strike would not be tolerated, he said clauses of the Essential Services Act would be invoked to initiate legal action against the agitating employees.

Expressing that agitation by the employees, inspite of the Government's declaration that the Sixth Pay Commission recommendation would be implemented, is akin to taking the State as hostage in the interest of only about 50-60 thousand employees, the CM reminded that an announcement had already been made to provide Sixth Pay from April this year.

Conveying that the Government would not make any promise that could not be translated into action, he said the SPF Government at the current juncture would not be capable of releasing arrears of the Sixth Pay Commission as more than Rs 200 crores would be required to pay the arrears accounted from the year 2006. Insisting that efforts are being made to prevail upon the 13th Finance Commission to allocate additional funds for paying the arrears, he explained that financial liabilities of Central Government employees cannot be compared with that of the State employees as the former comprise only about 10 percent of the employees' population in the state.

The CM also claimed that Government of Nagaland is passing through an embarrassing phase as it could not translate into action the declaration for extending service period of its employees.

Calling upon the striking employees that with the financial year round the corner the agitation should be prolonged any more as it stands to adversely affect related procedures, reiterated appeal to the employees to return to work in the interest of the State.

With regard to the occasion, he declared that incentives to sportspersons that had been pending for the last six years would be provided to all eligible sportspersons ahead of the next Players' Day.

Acknowledging that exploits and exemplary achievements by the Manipur sportspersons at both the national and international level competitions is the main factor for the establishment of the Rs 16 crore National Sports Academy here in the State, he said apart from nurturing talented sportspersons the Academy's objective include ensuring quality general education to the sportspersons.

Pointing out that during tenure of the SPF government 109 meritorious sportspersons have been absorbed or recruited in various State Government departments, the CM further announced that plans are afoot to construct at least one mini sports complex in all the district.

In his presidential address, Sports Minister N Biren deplored the ongoing agitation resulting in the derailment of activities of the regular coaching camps which is aimed at keeping the sportspersons physically fit and mentally prepared to compete at the national level competitions.

As a part of the Players' Day celebration, the Chief Minister distributed incentive award of Rs 2,93,25,010 to 772 players for their achievements in 32 disciplines during the 2009 session.

Moreover, cash award of Rs 1 lakh each were provided to archer L Bombayla devi and judoka L Tombi devi in recognition of their participation at the Beijing Olympics, and Rs 25,000 to weightlifter N Laksmi for winning a silver medal in the Youth Commonwealth Games held at Pune.

In all 41 coaches were also honoured at the occasion for their roles in producing and guiding talented sportspersons as well as for accompanying Indian teams at various events.

Players' Day is celebrated on this day to commemorate Manipur claiming the overall championship title of the 5th national Games hosted by the State in 1999.

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