Government employees on strike in Jammu and Kashmir

SRINAGAR - Government employees across Jammu and Kashmir went on a strike Monday demanding the release of arrears as recommended by the Sixth Pay Commission even as the administration cited its inability to do so owing to paucity of funds.

The strike was called after talks between the government and the employees failed to break the deadlock over the demand for release of arrears and for raising the retirement age from 58 to 60 years.

All government offices remained closed Monday. Government schools were also closed as teachers also joined the strike.

“We have exempted emergency services in hospitals and also labour room services in maternity centres. With these exceptions, all government offices, schools and other departments are completely shutdown today (Monday),” said Farooq Ahmad Trali, a representative of the Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) of the government employees here.

Appealing to the employees to withdraw the strike, Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather said: “The government needs Rs.4,300 crore to pay the arrears and we have taken up the issue vigorously with the central government. At present, we do not have the financial resources to meet the employees’ demand.”

There are more than 4.5 lakh state government employees in Jammu and Kashmir.

While those working in the civil secretariat have announced a two-day strike, the JCC has announced a seven-day shutdown. Another forum of the government employees, the Employees’ Joint Action Committee (EJAC), has called for a four-day strike.

All directorate level offices in summer capital Srinagar remained closed Monday, including the directorate of the Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CAPD) that is responsible for distribution of essential supplies through government-run retail outlets.