UP govt employees begin indefinite strike

Lakhs of employees of the Uttar Pradesh government today went on an indefinite strike over their various demands, including removal of "anomalies" in salary and allowances.
President of Rajya Karmchari Sanyukt Parishad Hari Kishore Tiwari while terming the strike as a success claimed that around 200 small and big employees' unions were participating in the agitation.
The agitation is led by Rajya Karamchari Adhikaar Mahasangh.
Tiwari said that the new organisation consisting of Rajya Karamchari Sanyukt Parishad and Rajya Karamchari Mahasangh was leading the strike.
He claimed that several offices, including Jawahar Bhawan, Indira Bhawan and health directorate remained locked.

Tiwari said that if the government does not concede to their demands some employees of essential services, including roadways, power and health would also join the agitation.

He alleged that despite written agreement with various unions to resolve the problems of the employees, no action was taken.
The strike has been called for pressing a 31 point charter of demands which include removal of anomalies in salary and allowances and doing away with assured promotion or promotion scale and pension benefits.
Around 60 per cent of the 18 lakh state workforce is likely to take part in the strike.
The state government yesterday directed respective district police chiefs to ensure the safety of all the state government employees wanting to defy strike call given by the Mahasangh in support of their demand for pension and salary matters.

"Special instructions have been issued to all the SSPs that no one be allowed to interfere and create hurdles in way of employees who want to continue their official duty amidst the strike call by some groups of the employees union", IG Law and Order R K Vishkarma had said.
"They have been asked to initiate action against all those stopping employees from continuing their official work besides those who indulge in any kind of vandalism", he said.
The official said that the employees have announced that a motorcycle protest demonstration would be taken out and a videography of the same would be done and stern action would be taken against anyone damaging public property or causing disturbance.