J&K govt employees on strike

Work in government offices was affected as employees of various departments responded to the strike call given by the Joint Consultative Committee (JCC), an apex body of various unions of government employees.

"State government employees have commenced 3-day-long Kaam Chor Hartal from today to protest against the failure of the government to fulfil their demands and press for immediate implementation of the demands," senior JCC leader Gafoor Dar told reporters.

The main demonstration was held in front of the Divisional Commissioner's office at Railhead area in the city in which over 300 protesters took part.

All the employees have observed strike in most of the offices, he claimed.

He also threatened that indefinite strike would be considered if their demands were not met. These include increasing retirement age from 58 to 60 years for the around 4.5 lakh government employees, and to come up with a policy on regularisation of daily wagers to remove any pay anomaly.

The employees will sit on a 'dharna' at the gates of government offices, schools and other establishments across the state tomorrow, Dar added.

He also asked Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Finance Minister A R Rather to intervene in the matter.

Two major rallies have been planned in Jammu and Srinagar on January 10, he said.