Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 13: The PHE employees from various Divisions and Sub Divisions held strong protest demonstration followed by dharna outside the office of Chief Engineer, on BC Road here today.
A large number of PHE workers both regular and consolidated/ daily wagers, under the banner of Water Works (PHE) Employees Association (WWEA), led by Shiv Kumar Sharma (president of the Association) and INTUC State chief, assembled at PHE complex, BC Road complex here today and started protest demonstration in support of their demands. They were raising slogans, projecting their pending issues.
The PHE employees not only from district Jammu or Samba but also from Kishtwar, Doda, Ramban, Rajouri, Poonch, Udhampur, Kathua and Reasi also attended the protest programme. They shouted slogans against Chief Minister, PHE Minister and even the Chief Engineer and alleged that they have failed to address their issues despite assurance. INTUC president Shiv Kumar Sharma and several other trade unionists spoke on the occasion. They alleged that a large number of PHE daily wagers are without pay for the last 24 to 30 months. They are facing financial hardships due to price hike.
While speaking on the occasion, the INTUC president said that there is no uniformity in the wages, despite clear orders by the Government the PHE daily wagers are being provided Rs 500, 600, 700, 800 and even Rs 980 per month, whereas, Govt Order No. 45-F of 2013, dated 22-04-2013 clearly orders for the payment of Rs 150 per day. It is unfortunate that authorities are maintaining criminal silence over it and this order has not been implemented. Many workers are without pay for the last 24 to 30 months. Mr Sharma pointed out that Chief Engineer PHE Deptt Jammu has submitted the list of 16070 daily rated workers to the Administrative Department. All the daily rated workers who have completed five years of service be regularized, he demanded.
The INTUC leader also demanded early conduct of DPC of all cadre, fixation of seniority, provision of 17 % ( 10+7 %) Dearness Allowances, release of IV installment of 6th Pay Commission arrears, time bound promotions, repair of Govt buildings/ staff/ chowkidar quarters, pumping stations, clear transfer policy and creation of new posts for running newly established stations.
Prominent among others who spoke on the occasion included, Vinod Kumar, Som Nath, Ajay Sharma, Raman Kumar, Madan Lal, Ram Paul Saini, Mangal Dass, Ravi Kumar and Anchal Singh.
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