JAMMU MAY 27 (KNS): National Conference Senior Leader and Former minister, Ajay Kumar Sadhotra on Friday urged the government to look into the issues pertaining to regularization and release of wages to daily rated, casual and need based workers, saying drift-like situation has impacted utility services from time to time leading to drinking water crisis in most of the areas.
“Despite a policy decision taken and the regularization approved by the successive governments, the issue is unnecessarily being lingered, leading to chaotic situation and frequent strikes by these categories of workers”, Mr Sadhotra said while interacting with the people at Gurha Brahmana (Patoli) here and referring to the proposed 24 hour strike by the PHE daily wagers tomorrow in support of their demands.
Sadhotra hoped that the government will take immediate call on the situation that could affect the drinking water supply in Jammu during the ongoing scorching heat wave.
Recalling the headway made during the tenure of Mr Omar Abdullah as Chief Minister in regularising about 60,000 daily wagers/casual workers/need base workers as per laid down norms in a phased manner, Sadhotra said that the basic exercise had been carried out after thorough deliberations at various levels. The decision could not however be implemented due to 2014 floods, he added.
He blamed the government for taking sadistic pleasure in the sufferings of the daily wagers and expressed regrets over the continuous delay in sorting out their issues, saying due to rigid approach of the government families of all these categories of workers have virtually come on roads due to delay in salaries and arrears pending for years.
Taking note of the issues raised by the PHE daily wagers, Sadhotra supported their demands for regularisation, release of salaries pending for 70 months; absorption of the next of kin of those expired in harness, special assistance of Rs 10 lakhs for those retired besides enhancement of daily wages to Rs 618.
The Former Minister expressed surprise over lackadaisical approach of the administration in addressing the grievances of these segments of workers and said that nobody seems to be bothered either about their problems or the people who will have to brave the brunt on account of disrupted utility services, especially erratic supply of drinking water due to KAAM CHHOD HARTAL.
Pledging solidarity of National Conference with all categories of the daily wagers, Mr Sadhotra said that they should be heard immediately so that the proposed move of resorting to tool down strike is averted. He said National Conference understands the difficulties being faced by the families of these workers in these hard times. He said that despite personal problems these workers have been working tirelessly to meet the aspirations of people. He described the case of daily wagers as a humanitarian problem and said this should be addressed on compassionate basis. Prominent locals who spoke on the occasion are S/Sh Sewa Ram, Bishan Dass, Raj Kumar they put forward their day to day problems of water, electricity, lanes and drains.
Mr. Sadhotra assured them that their problems shall be taken at appropriate quarter for early redressal. Others who spoke on the occasion are S/ Sh Ghar Singh Chib Corporator, Raghubir Singh Manhas District President, Charan Dass Bhagat, Capt. Joginder Lal.(KNS)