The Hindu Business Line : Kerala Govt staff withdraw strike call — Decision on new wage board on March 2: CM

The organisations owing allegiance to the ruling United Democratic Front (UDF) withdrew the strike call following the assurances given by the Chief Minister, Mr Oommen Chandy, while the pro-Left organisations have decided to defer the strike.

The Chief Minister held talks with the leaders of various organisations of Government employees and teachers on Monday and announced several measures pertaining to their demands.

Among other things, he promised the constitution of a pay commission. However, a final decision on the matter will be taken only at a meeting of the State Cabinet on March 2.

The commission will be asked to submit an interim report based on which an interim relief to the employees will be decided.

Mr K. Sudevan, Convenor of the State Employees and Teachers Organisation (SET), and Mr Kambara Narayanan and Mr P.K. Raveendran, State Presidents of the two factions of the Kerala NGO Association, said that it was for the first time in the history of the State that the employees have been asked to submit their proposals for being included in the terms of reference of the proposed pay commission. On the question of enhancing the retirement age, the Government has a positive attitude, they added.

Of the 40 lakh-odd unemployed youth in the State, not more than 25,000 will be in a position to get recruited to the Government service to fill the retirement vacancies each year, the Chief Minister told them.

If the age of superannuation is enhanced from 55 year to 60 years, the retirement benefits accruing for five years could be invested in productive sectors, thereby enabling 1.25 lakh people to secure jobs on a regular basis, he added.

In the Budget for the current year, the allocation for salaries and allowances is to the tune of Rs 5,800 crore and the allocation for 2005-06 is Rs 6,300 crore.

This, the Chief Minister said, was after taking into consideration the quantum of interim relief required to be paid to the employees, according to the leaders.

They also said that the Chief Minister had agreed to arrange for payment of arrears of DA, HRA and CCA, which were held back for those who had entered into service in 2002.

Mr C.H. Ashokan, General Convenor of Action Council State Employees and Teaches, while announcing the decision to defer the strike, said that the "concerted efforts by various organisations had forced the Government to shed its negative attitude towards their genuine demands."

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page

Stories in this Section
Cabinet discusses President's address to Parliament

AP Govt has failed on all fronts: Naidu

Kerala Govt staff withdraw strike call — Decision on new wage board on March 2: CM