Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 12: Daily rated, consolidated and ITI trained workers of PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control Department today took out a strong protest march to the Civil Secretariat in the winter capital city here, which was however, foiled by the strong police contingent.
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A large number of PHE workers, who are on strike since Sept 7, 2018, assembled at PHE Complex on BC Road here in the morning. The workers from all the Divisions and PHE sub Divisions of Jammu district, besides Samba, Kathua, Udhampur, Reasi, Rajouri, Poonch Doda etc. in thousands under the leadership, Tanveer Hussain held strong rally outside the office of Chief Engineer PHE, Jammu.
Besides Tanveer Hussain, several other trade unionists addressed the gathering and strongly criticized the higher authorities for not releasing their wages for the last about four years. They alleged that neither the Govt completed process of their regularization, nor it released wages of the workers despite assurances even on the floor of the Assembly House and outside by the previous Govt. They alleged that their families have been left for starvation. Even they are unable to pay the school fees of their children and feed them. The Governor’s Administration has also turned a deaf ear towards their plight.
They pointed out that there are about 22,000 such workers who await Govt response. They urged upon the Governor and the concerned Advisor, K K Sharma to address their long pending issue on humanitarian ground.
Later, they moved towards Civil Secretariat to conduct its `Gherao’, however, they were stopped by the strong contingent of police at Indira Chowk. The workers showed some resistance and also had a scuffle with cops but they were not allowed to move ahead by the police.
Later, a delegation of PHE daily wagers was allowed to meet the Commissioner/ Secretary PHE, I&FC in the secretariat. Tanveer said that during half an hour meeting in presence of Chief Engineer and some other senior officers, the delegation was assured that their wages will be released shortly as they are going to receive money next month.
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