Srinagar, July 16: Noisy scenes were witnessed at Chief Engineer, Power Development Department (PDD) Bemina office today after agitated daily wagers attempted ‘self immolation’ as a mark of protest against government for withholding their seven years’ salary.
Shouting anti administration slogans, dozens of daily wagers under the banner of J&K Central Non-Gazetted Electrical Employees Union, assembled at CE’s office at Bemina and held protest demanding release of salaries.
The protesting daily wagers who had carried placards in their hands reading “do justice with our children, release our hard-earned money” alleged that their seven years’ salary is pending with the department that forced them to take extreme steps like self immolation.
“On one hand SRO 381 under which four hundred odd daily wagers were confirmed recently is intact while on the other had administration works day night to implement SRO 502. This anti policy which is aimed at axing poor daily wagers is not acceptable to us,” said PDD Circle President, Abdul Hameed Khanday.
He said the administration instead of resolving their genuine issues including that of seven years salary and regularization, is busy compounding their problems by introducing anti employees policies.
Khanday threatened to commit suicide along with their families incase the government failed to release pending salaries and take firm steps vis-à-vis regularization of daily wagers working in the department over the years.
“We have rendered enormous sacrifices while serving people, recently one of our colleague died after being electrocuted in Sopore town, instead of framing policy for deceased, our administration is busy hatching conspiracies against us,” alleged he.
He demanded implementation of SRO 43 in favor of those who lost their lives during duty hours.
Meanwhile, scores of daily wagers attempted self immolation by sprinkling kerosene on their bodies to protest what they termed ‘autocratic rule’. Three of the protesters suffered minor burn injuries in the incident who were removed to hospital for treatment.
