Uttarakhand secretariat employees have called off their indefinite strike after the government decided not to issue any notification on the state Cabinet's decision on reverting to a six-day working week in the secretariat.
"As of now, an unofficial truce has been reached between the government and the striking employees on the issue," said a senior government official.
Chief Minister Harish Rawat welcomed the step. He said, "The employees are part of the government. There is no better option than dialogue and the government is ready to resolve any issue."
Since November 11, the employees have been on strike protesting against the government's decision to revert back to the six-day a week system and to introduce a biometric attendance system.
Significantly, the high court in Nainital had also issued a warning asking the striking employees of the secretariat to return to work or face consequences.
P S Jangpangi, secretary, secretariat administration, said, "We have served an ultimatum to the striking employees that the government will take strong action against them on the orders of the high court," said.
Narendra Prasad Raturi, president of the secretariat employees association, said, "Since working in the secretariat is different from other state departments, we have been assured by the government that it will take a lenient attitude on our issue."
On the introduction of biometric attendance system, Raturi had said the employees will accept such system only when all the employees, including the chief secretary, should also start registering their attendance through biometric cards.
Earlier this month, the high court had come down heavily on the indefinite strike of the ministerial employees asking the government to take appropriate action for the smooth functioning of the collectorate offices. Fearing action, the ministerial employees withdrew the strike seeking changes in the promotion policy.
