Srinagar, May 25 (GNS): MGNREGA Engineers Association on Wednesday extended pen-down strike in favour of their demands by ten more days.
Rohit Dev Singh Manhas, State President MGNREGA Engineers said that government continues to ignore the genuine demands of the qualified engineering and other staff despite assurances from time to time.
“We are aware that public is suffering a lot but we have been left with no option by the government but to extend the strike,” he told GNS, adding, “There will be complete pen down strike till June 4. In case government fails to fulfill our genuine we will intensify the protests.”
Work in Rural Development Department in Kashmir has remained affected for the past few weeks as MGNREGA Engineers Association continue with the pen-down strike in favour of their ‘long pending’ demands.
The Association has already issued an appeal to the Lieutenant Governor to “intervene” for fulfilling their “genuine demands.”
He said that government continues to give “cold-shoulder” to their “genuine” demands despite constitution of two committees and recommendations by them.
Two committees were formed to look into the demands and but government has failed to fulfill promises made from time to time, he said. “Government agreed our demands in principal and formed two committees. The committees made recommendations but were not acted upon by the government,” he said, adding, “to protest against the indifferent attitude towards our genuine demands by the government, we have decided to extend pen-down strike by three more days and if there is still no headway we will then intensify our protests and chalkout new plans.” He also urged Lieutenant Governor to intervene into the issue on “humanitarian basis”.
Among others, the Association is demanding hike in salary and policy for regularization as “we have given our prime of life to make the MGNREGA and other schemes a success.” He said that staff carries out all developmental works in Rural Development department including Capex, SBM, and MGNREGA. (GNS)
