Kashmir government to act tough on staff strike

The Jammu and Kashmir government Monday decided to act tough against its employees who have announced a protest from the day after to mount pressure on the government to implement their demands.

Besides regularisation of services of daily wagers, removal of pay anomalies, the employees are demanding enhancement of retirement age from the existing 58 to 60.

After the state government sought time during talks with its employees last week for the complete implementation of their demands, the staff unions have announced a plan to lay siege to the civil secretariat, hold a candlelight march and stay away from offices.

Chief Secretary Muhammad Iqbal Khanday expressed dismay over what he called the obstinacy exhibited by employees' union leaders regarding implementation of demands.

The state government has announced that the principle of "no work, no pay" would be invoked against the striking government employees.

The chief secretary said despite the best intentions of the government to meet most of the demands of the employees, the leaders of the union had shown unwarranted rigidity and announced the strike.