'Maha-hartal' by govt employees in UP enters 2nd day

The 'maha-hartal' by more than 16 lakh government employees in Uttar Pradesh over issues ranging from promotion and cashless medical facilities today continued for the second day, causing an estimated loss of Rs 1,800 crore.
The Rajya Karmchari Sanyukt Parishad (RKSP) claimed the ongoing three-day strike was successful in the state.
Basic Education, Secondary Education Directorate, Social Welfare, Public Works Department, Labour, Transport, Treasury, Agriculture and Accounts offices offices wore a deserted look in the absence of the staffers.
Employees were seen protesting at the entrance of their departments over demands including cashless treatment of staffers, promotion of revenue officers, sanitation workers and time-bound promotions of clerks.

"The strike has caused a revenue loss of Rs 1,800 crore to the state government till the second day," RKSP president Harikishore Tiwari claimed.
He said the strike has received support from other organisations, including Adhikari Karamchari Mahaparishad.

In Lucknow, the protesting employees locked the horticulture department and held a meeting.
Tiwari said after the three-day strike the RKSP would formulate the future strategy and the 'maha-hartal' could be extended for an indefinite period.
"In 2013, the state government had accepted four main demands, including cashless treatment, promotion of tehsildar (revenue officers), promotion of sanitation workers and time-bound promotions of clerks," he said.

He demanded that the government accept the demands.
Parishad's general secretary Atul Mishra said a 'token strike' of three hours was observed in the health department but tomorrow only the emergency services would be made available to patients.