Employees' demand: J-K govt wants consensus in House

Jammu and Kashmir government today said it is against any confrontation with its employees over the issue of enhancement of retirement age, but wants a consensus in the Legislative Assembly on the matter.
"It (enhancing retirement age) is not an easy thing to do. Either to reject the demand for enhancing the retirement age to 60 years or to accept it. We need the guidance of this House on the matter," Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather said in the Legislative Assembly.
The Minister said government has acceded to most of the demands of the employees but does not want to rush with the decision on enhancement of the retirement age.

"If we increase the retirement age, we will be criticised for ignoring the burgeoning unemployed youth in the state," he said adding the government wanted to get the sense of the House before taking a decision.
Several MLAs, including CPI(M) member M Y Tarigami, had demanded that the government informs the house about the outcome of the talks with agitating state employees.
The 4.5 lakh Government employees are on strike since Thursday demanding enhancement of retirement age by two years, regularisation of ad hoc and contractual employees and payment of arrears on account of Sixth Pay Commission.

Rather said all the provisions of the Six Pay Commission have been implemented in the state. He said the government has also regularised services of 56,000 daily wagers who completed more than seven years of service.

Responding to the demand of some MLAs for revoking the cases filed against employee union leaders, the Minister said the government has a responsibility towards the people of the state.
"We have some people talking about shutting down the hospitals if the demands are not met. Why? Is there no accountability? Is there no government?" Rather asked.
He said the employees have to follow the service rules, which shall be invoked by the government to ensure that services are delivered to people.
"What is wrong with 'no work no pay'? If they do not work, how do they expect to be paid?" he asked.