Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, July 9: The Urban Local Body Employees today held a protest against the “arbitrary and unilateral decision of abolition” of Municipal Committees of Pahalgam and Gulmarg here in city centre.
Dozens of employees assembled at Press Enclave and started to protest against the decision. They alleged that the authorities didn’t even bother to issue a statement in this regard.
The employees were protesting under the banner of Urban Local Body Employees United Forum (ULBUF) and were led by EJAC president, Abdul Qayoom Wani and Forum’s president, Manzoor Ahmad Pampori.
The Forum accused State Government of discriminatory approach towards Valley and asked: “Had this step of the Government been in the interest of the State and not discrimination with the region, why Municipal Committee Katra, Jammu Municipal Corporation and Srinagar Municipal Corporation have not been abolished and handed over to the concerned Development Authorities.”
The employees were shouting slogans like “we want justice”.
The Forum also appealed authorities responsible for making laws in the state that the Jammu and Kashmir Municipal Act 2000 has some severe “lacunas” which are required to be amended without further delay. “…Section 9 of the Act has given arbitrary powers to the Government to abolish any Municipal Committee without taking any of the stakeholders on board,” the Forum said.
The employees were also demanding release of 6th Pay Commission arrears and regularization of casual, consolidate and daily rated workers.
Meanwhile, the police detained several of employees’ leaders during the protest which include EJAC president, Abdul Qayoom Wani.
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