STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: A number of daily-wagers of Jal Shakti department again took to the streets as their pending demands have not been fulfilled by the Government. An attempt was also made to Gherao Raj Bhawan by taking out a rally from Chief Engineer’s office, B C Road, which was thwarted by deployed police and paramilitary forces. Thereafter, in anger, protesters shut down Sitli plant in Sidhara from 11 AM to 3 PM, disrupting main water supply to city. Meanwhile, in support of temporary workers of Jal Shakti Department, daily-wagers of Irrigation Department also demonstrated outside the office of Chief Engineer on Canal Road.
Speaking on the occasion, Jal Shakti Employees Front Spokesperson, K Ravi Hans said that daily-wagers of PHE have been given only false assurances from 30 years, as no Government and even LG’s administration has done nothing for them on ground level, but this time the workers will fight till justice is granted. “Workers are being paid Rs 6000 to Rs 7000 per month, which is insufficient in this time of inflation. Their demands are being completely ignored by LG’s administration, which will not be tolerated. Moreover, due to imposition of Section-144 in and around Tawi bridges in Jammu, there is anger among workers, as it appears that administration is trying to suppress agitation,” said K Ravi Hans. Major demands of PHE daily-wagers are regularization of expired temporary workers, fixing minimum wage of Rs 618 per day and releasing pending salary of 90 months.