Talks fail, stir enters 56th day

Talks fail, stir enters 56th day
PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

JAIPUR, FEB 8: The Rajasthan Government representatives and striking State employees' leaders have hardened their stand after talks between them broke down, even as the statewide indefinite strike entered the 56th day on Tuesday.

The striking employee leaders rejected the package announced by Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Monday night and called the staffers all over the state to reach Jaipur en masse on February 10 to stage an indefinite dharna.The Government on Monday midight made a unilateral announcement to pay an additional installment of dearness allowance (DA) to its employees with effect from July 1 and appealed to the staff on strike for the last 55 days to end the agitation and resume work within 72 hours.

Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot made this announcement after the marathon three rounds of talks between government and the striking employee leaders collapsed Monday evening.

Gehlot told reporters that arrears of the additional DA between July 1999 and July 2000 would be deposited in thestaffers' provident fund accounts.Strictly following the policy of `no work no pay' the government said the employees would not be paid salaries for the strike period. Their absence from duty would be condoned by grant of special leave so that there was no break in service of the strikers, Gehlot said.

However, as a goodwill gesture, the government will pay 21 days' salary as advance, to be deducted in three equal installments in subsequent months, to the employees. He said the employees should resume duty within 72 hours or face stern action.

Meanwhile, the joint action committee of the striking employees gave a call to staffers to reach Jaipur from all over the State on February 10 and start an indefinite dharna to force a `respectable' settlement. The confederation of gazetted officers has also given a call to one lakh employees to take mass casual leave on Wednesday as a mark of solidarity with the striking employees.

The state roadways employees, who deferred their strike in support of theagitating staff on Monday in view of ongoing talks, on Tuesday threatened to stop work ``any time'' if the government failed to reach a "respectable settlement" on the employees' demands.

Talks between the Government and the arrested employees' leaders broke down Tuesday night over the question of payment of salary for the striking period. Later, announcing the package, Gehlot refused to deviate from the policy of "no work, no pay" and rejected the demand for bonus.