Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 25:The Joint Co-ordination Committee of All J&K Village Level Workers (VLWs)/Multi Purpose Workers (MPWs)/MGNREGA Workers Union today extended its protest for three more days across the State as the Government has failed to redress their problems.
The members of Co-ordination Committee met under the leadership of Anirudh Singh (Convenor) and Om Parkash Sargotra (Chairman) after 48-hours strike call, which ended today evening, and decided to extend their protest for another 3-days. The decision was endorsed by all the members.
Earlier, on the 2nd-day of the strike, All J&K VLWs/MPWs/MGNREGA Workers’ Union held strong protest demonstration at all the district headquarters of Jammu province by raising their demands and grievances.
The agitating VLWs/MPWs suspended works’ at all districts of Jammu division and demanded creation of Posts of Inspector Panchayat in the newly created 177 CD Blocks, removal of Pay anomalies, reinstatements of the employees, suspended by the Minister for Rural Development Department and Panchayati Raj during anti-polythene drive, regularization of MGNREGA staff and conduct of DPC of VLWs/MPWs across the State.
At Jammu, the agitating VLWs/MPWs continue their protest dharna on 2nd day at Directorate of Rural Development Department and Panchayati Raj, Talab Tilloo under the leadership of Om Parkash Sargotra (chairman of the Committee) and Rakesh Sharma (general secretary).
Addressing the gathering, the leaders’ of the Union highlighted their various issues and demands, including fully implementation of SRO178, enhancement of grade pay and Field Travelling Allowance ( FTA), filling up of posts of Department BDOs and 50 per cent quota of Departmental feeding cadre, etc.
Similar protest demonstrations were also held at all districts headquarters of Jammu province.
At Kishtwar, the Minister of State for Rural Development Sunil Sharma visited at dharna site where he was apprised about long pending demands of VLWs/MPWs/MGNREGA workers. Responding positively, MoS RDD assured that he would take up the matter with Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Abdul Haq Khan and Commissioner Secretary to fulfill the genuine demands and redress their grievances at an earliest so that general public of rural areas do not suffer.
At Udhampur, MLA Pawan Gupta joined the protesters and assured full support to their demands.
At Samba, former MLA Yash Pal Kundal visited the dharna site and supported the demands of VLWs/MPWs/MGNREGA workers.