Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 3: Need based workers, casual labourers and other employees of the Power Development Department (PDD) held protest demonstration at Chief Engineer’s office near Bhagwati Nagar (Canal) here today.
A large number of PDD workers under the banner of Provincial Electric Employees Union (PEEU) Jammu, led by PC Sharma, its president assembled at Rajinder Park near Ranbir Canal and then held protest demonstration in support of their demands and pending issues. The workers were shouting slogan against the PDD authorities for not releasing their pending wages and also in support of their demands.
While speaking to the media, PC Sharma said that 3405 need based workers are working on crucial assignments like linemen and SBAs in the department and they are running 10-15 sub stations with full risk to their lives, but the Govt till date has not made any budgetary provision for the payment of their long pending wages of 5-10 years. He said the Chief Engineer claimed to have written a letter to the Director Finance, PDD (Civil Sectt) for the clearance of the wages worth Rs 18.34 crore for the payment to these workers but nothing has been done till date.
The PEEU leader also demanded to amend SRO-520, allotment of proper designation with proper scale while their conversion in regular cadre, creation of promotion avenues for the employees who are qualified and have diplomas and degree and inclusion of benefit of SRO 43. Later, they submitted a memorandum to the Chief Engineer.