The State Government is aware of the problems faced by its employees but can take a decision in their favour only when the financial condition of the State improves. Chief Minister Harish Rawat said this at the eighth conference of the State employees’ joint council.
The Chief Minister said that the Government which does not empathise with its employees cannot be considered serious about development. “The 2013 disaster has changed people’s perception towards us which has to be altered. Uttarakhand must be seen as an emerging State. The Char Dham Yatra needs to be facilitated as before to revive tourism in Uttarahand.
This is the reason we are working even in -60C temperature at Kedarnath with restoration work there being a sign of Uttarakhand’s resolve to re-emerge. It is understandable for a few routes to get blocked due to bad weather but the way this is projected across the country discourages tourists,” said Rawat.
The Chief Minister acknowledged that some demands of the State employees are reasonable and said that the State has resolved to redress pay anomalies before the Seventh Pay Commission. “But it is also the responsibility of the employees to ensure that they don’t place any demands which lead to inter-cadre conflict. So far we have been running our State on ad hoc system.
“The roadways service was about to shut down which is why we had to write off its previous loan. Development is limited to three districts in the plains but despite this the State is the third best pay master. The employees of any State benefit only when the State’s finance improves. The policy of the Central Government is of competitive federalism. The State has received nothing from the 13th Finance Commission. This has happened for the first time. According to this the services of the employees will also be evaluated,” he said.
The Chief Minister also expressed dissatisfaction at the working of the Health Department with regard to smart card. He added that the schemes initiated by the Government must be effectively implemented. A one-time grant will be given for the office of the State employees joint council, he announced.
