Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 26: Employees of the J&K Forest Department staged a protest at the Forest Complex, Dogra Hall, Jammu besides all the Divisional headquarters in the region today, expressing their discontent over the `step motherly’ treatment by the higher authorities.
The protest was organized by All Jammu and Kashmir Non-Gazetted Forest Employees Association (NGFOA), with scores of employees voicing their concerns over several unresolved issues that have impacted their welfare and working conditions.
They strongly criticized the concerned authorities for not conducting Departmental Promotional Committee meetings since long, which has caused stagnation at various levels. The employees have been deliberately deprived of their promotions due to the prolonged delays in conducting DPCs of all cadres in Jammu province.
The reorganization of the Forest Department remains unresolved, despite number of requests by the NGFOA J&K to the authorities. The salary grades of Forest Guard, Revenue Patwari, and Teacher were initially assigned the same grade pay. However, over time, the grade pay for Patwaris and Teachers was increased whereas, Forest employees were left to face discrimination.
The Forest front line staff works 24×7 even in all weather situations, facing several challenges. However, despite working under tough conditions, they have not been granted two and half days’ salary.
The field frontline staff of the Department often face life-threatening situations. Over 140 employees have lost their lives while on duty. Despite the dangerous nature of their work, Forest employees have been deprived of the Risk allowance.
Speaking on the occasion, Rajinder Singh Parihar, president All J&K NGFOA, Gurcharan Singh Provincial president Jammu, Ghulam Nabi War, general secretary (UT) and others emphasized the ongoing neglect by the authorities.
“The rigid, non-serious, and delaying attitude of the authorities has left us with no choice but to take to the streets to demand our legitimate rights. Forest employees are enduring immense hardships due to the lack of action from the authorities. Our issues need immediate attention,” they stated.
NGFOA has called on Forest employees to observe mass casual leave on Dec 27-28 as a part of their protest program.
Similar protest was held at Forest Divisional office Poonch where senior members of the district body projected the above mentioned demands of the employees. The protests were also held in other Districts and Divisional offices as well.
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