Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 3: The indefinite strike and protest dharna by workers of the Power Development Department (PDD), including PDL/TDL and other daily-rated employees, entered its 8th consecutive day at the office complex of Jammu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (JPDCL) on Railway Road, Bahu Plaza, Jammu.
The agitation, led by Akhil Sharma under the banner of All J&K PDD, PDL, TDL and other workers union, began on June 26, demanding financial concurrence for the regularization of 557 daily-rated workers. The demand follows an earlier approval by the Board of Directors (BOD) of JPDCL, based on Regularization Rules vetted by the Law Department. However, the delay in clearance by the Finance Department has triggered widespread resentment among workers.
Protesting employees from across Jammu province, currently serving in various corporations formed after the unbundling of the PDD, gathered once again today, raising slogans in support of their demands and against the JPDCL authorities for alleged inaction. Holding placards and banners, they accused the management of apathy towards their long-standing issues.
Union leaders criticized JPDCL for failing to expedite the financial concurrence process and highlighted that the regularization policy had been framed three years ago. They also expressed anger over the non-payment of wages pending for several years.
The striking workers, who stopped work from Thursday, warned that the responsibility for any disruption in electricity supply would lie with the JPDCL management. They reminded the authorities of the sacrifices made by the workforce in maintaining the power sector, urging immediate redressal of their grievances.
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