Guj Govt softens stand on fixed-pay wagers, promises solution

A day after the fixed-pay employees and contractual workers threatened to disrupt the upcoming Vibrant Gujarat Summit, the Gujarat Government today announced that it was mulling to induct maximum number of such fixed-pay wagers as regular state government employees.
The announcement was made today by Deputy CM Nitin Patel, who also slammed those who are 'inciting' these fixed-pay employees to stage protests on this issue.
While talking to reporters at Gandhinagar, Patel said the government is positively looking into all the possibilities to bring a solution and is in the last lap of finalising it's decision.
As the Supreme Court is hearing the case of fixed-pay workers at present, Patel said state government will show a "big heart" and file an affidavit accordingly on January 10, when the matter is listed for hearing.

"We are positively considering the demands put forward by various employee associations on this issue. When the matter will come up for hearing on January 10 in the Supreme Court, we will file our affidavit, which will reflect our commitment to resolve the issue" said Patel.
"I want to assure these employees that our government is mulling to induct maximum number of such fixed pay workers as regular-scale employees. We are moving ahead in the direction of finalising our decision," said Patel.

Yesterday, thousands of fixed-pay employees as well as contractual workers held demonstrations at Gandhinagar demanding parity in salary and abolition of fixed-pay regime.

Jan Adhikar Manch, which is fighting for the rights of such fixed-pay workers, had organised the rally, which received support from Patel quota outfit Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti along with Dalit leader Jignesh Mewani and OBC leader Alpesh Thakor.
Convener of Jan Adhikar Manch, Pravin Ram, had announced that employees will disrupt the Vibrant Summit if the government does not come up with a definitive assurance by January 7.
Commenting on the protests, Patel alleged that some 'elements' are deliberately trying to incite people on this issue.
"Despite knowing the fact that government is very positive and going to file an affidavit in the Supreme Court soon, some elements are deliberately trying to incite people to disrupt peace and harmony in the state. Such elements are misleading youths," alleged Patel.

According to Jan Adhikar Manch, around 4.5 lakh youths are employed by state government on fixed-pay basis while over 10 lakh are employed as contractual workers.