JCC Issues New 5 Day Protest Calendar

SRINAGAR: Intensifying their stir, Joint Consultative Committee (JCC), the apex body of Jammu and Kashmir government employees today issued a 5-day-long protest calendar, starting September 17, to force government to accept their demands. 

Meanwhile work in government offices across State was affected for 3rd consecutive day Wednesday due to strike by the employees to press for their demands which include enhancement of retirement age from 58 to 60 years. 

However, essential services, exempted from the strike, were operating as usual. The employees had Monday tried to march towards Civil Secretariat here but the rally was foiled by police.

The employees’ leaders have accused the state government of back tracking on the agreement reached on September 15, 2011 with the JCC on their demands.

Alleging that Government has miserably failed to implement the agreement signed between the State Government  and Union leadership, JCC announced fresh protest calendar  for  third phase which includes march to Chief Minister’s residence and Governor House in Srinagar. 

JCC asked employees to observe complete strike on September 20 and 21.    

The JCC, an amalgam of the State’s Employees’ Unions, issued a five-day protest calendar programme from Sep 17 to 21.

While addressing a press conference here, the JCC leaders Abdul Qayoom Wani and Abdul Rouf Bhat gave an ultimatum to the State government that in case their demands were not fulfilled by Sep 21, they will launch a decisive phase of agitation against the government.

Wani said that government was not willing to put an end to deadlock and was buying only time. “We are not beggars that we would visit Civil Secretariat every time and seek alms from the government. Government has signed an agreement with us and we want its implementation,” Wani said.

He said that employees were only pressing for the implementation of their demands which were genuine.

 “It is incorrect to say that the enhancement in the existing retirement age would affect the employment chances of the educated unemployed youths in the state. If the chief secretary and other bureaucrats of the state can serve up to 60 years why can’t the poor peon who has to serve a cup of tea to the chief secretary in the office?” he asked.

Replying to a question, Wani said that it was a wrong notion that education sector was getting affected by employee strikes. “Government is trying to mislead the people. I ask them why they remain silent and don’t think of our children when they forcibly deploy 80 percent teachers on census duty,” he questioned.

Speaking on this occasion, JCC Convener and President Civil Secretariat Employees Association, Abdul Rouf Bhat held the state government responsible for the stalemate between the employees and the government.

He said that on Sep 17, thousands of employees will assemble and protest at their respective district headquarters. “The same day, I will lead secretariat employees protest,” Bhat said.

 “On September 18, soon after evening prayers, employees under the leadership of Qayoom Wani would organize a torch light procession and after assembling at Sher-i-Kashmir Park, the employees would march peacefully towards the residence of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. 

On the same day, employees of Jammu led by Abdul Gafoor Dar will stage protests outside Divisional Commissioner Office. 

On 19th of September, employees would assemble at S.K Park and march towards Governor House. The same day, employees of Jammu led by Abdul Gafoor Dar will stage protests outside Divisional Commissioner Office.

On Sep 20 and 21, there will be a complete strike in all government offices, including civil secretariat and Public Sector Undertakings,” Bhat said. 

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