Raipur: 12 days after beginning the strike, the employees federation on Thursday called off the protests. As per reports, the employees union was assured of consideration of demands in a meeting they had with Union Minister Ravindra Chaubey.
On Wednesday, CM Bhupesh Baghel taking to Twitter had appealed the employees to call off the strike and return to duty considering the plight of the common man. Baghel wrote “Common men is facing problems due to the stoppage of works related to the needs of the people. So, I appeal to all the striking employees to return to their duties. Our Government is always ready for the welfare of the employees. The old pension scheme, which has been restored by the State Government, is an example of it. Keeping in view the financial resources of State, we have been taking decisions in the best interest of the employees and will continue to take it in future also.”
The General Administration Department (GAD) had also issued an order in this regard. As per the order, if protesting officials and workers return to their respective duties by September 1 and September 2, the strike period will be approved as leave and their payment will be released, the officer said.
Earlier, the GAD had issued a directive to district collectors and heads of various departments, asking them to take disciplinary action against the striking employees as per a circular of the department issued on April 10, 2006. The circular states that if employees go on mass leave without prior approval or stage a strike, salaries will not be payable for the period of their absence from office and that period will be treated as “break-in-service”.
State government employees and officers are are on an indefinite strike since August 22. The protests demanded reconsideration in DA and HRA at par with the 7th pay commission.