PDP demands release of detained government employees

Opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) today called for immediate release of detained government employees and their leaders, saying the government must change its attitude towards different sections of the society, including its own employees.
"A government that is in permanent state of war with its own employees can never hope to deliver and solve problems of the people. That is one major reason why this government has flopped on every front of performance," PDP Chief Spokesperson Naeem Akhtar said in a statement here.
Despite warning, government employees under the banner of Joint Consultative Committee (JCC), an amalgam of various employees associations, went on a five-day agitation on October 1 to press for their demands including enhancement of retirement age from 58 to 60 years and regularisation for the daily rated workers, casual labourers and need based workers engaged after 1994.

Several top JCC leaders and dozens of employees were detained as they tried to stage protests outside Civil Secretariat - the seat of Jammu and Kashmir government - and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's residence here over the past three days.
"It is unfortunate as much as disastrous for the state that the government had not been able to convince its own employees about its intentions and policies towards their welfare," the PDP spokesperson said.
"Ever since the present government assumed the charge it is on a war path with every section of the society and not even its own employees are satisfied with the condition of their working. Every time the government makes an announcement it fails to convince every body," he said.

Akhter alleged that the loss of credibility of government promises is exemplified by the continuous stir of employees whether they are permanent, temporary, daily wage, casual or any other category.