State secretariat's functioning hit

The functioning of the state secretariat here was today hit following a one-day token strike by some employees to protest CPI-M-led LDF government's decision to constitute the Kerala Administrative Service, including the secretariat under its purview.
The strike call was given by pro-Congress-led UDF Opposition Kerala Secretariat Association and Secretariat Action Council. They claimed that about 45 per cent of employees joined the agitation despite government invoking dies non (no work no pay).
Setting up of KAS was one of the promises made by LDF in its election manefesto,the main objective being to attract talented youngsters to public service and improve efficiency.

Under KAS, there would be direct recruitment to '2nd gazetted posts' in government service.
Addressing protesters in front of the secretariat, Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala said KAS would turn the administrative set up at the secretariat, 'upside down'.
The protesters alleged that KAS would deprive promotion to existing secretariat employees with direct recuritment to 2nd gazetted posts and also affect allowances.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has called a meeting of Service Organisations here on January 13 to discuss the matter.