In wake of the strike call given by the powerful association of the General and OBC employees from March 2, the State Government has directed senior officials to ensure that the Budget session of the Uttarakhand Assembly is not affected by the call.

The State Government spokesperson and senior Cabinet Minister, Madan Kaushik said that doors of talks with the employees are open. He said that the strike is not the solution of any issue. The minister however added that senior officers of administration have been asked to remain vigilant and make alternate arrangement in case of the strike.

It is learnt that the Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat can meet the agitated employees at his residence on Saturday. The Government can also invoke the provisions under Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) to declare the strike illegal. Meanwhile, the Uttarakhand General and OBC association has reiterated its resolve to go on an indefinite strike from March 2 on against reservations in promotion. The president of the Rajya Karmchari Saiyukt Parishad, Thakur Prahlad Singh said that representatives of many states would arrive in Dehradun on Saturday to hold discussion with the office bearers of the association of Uttarakhand on the issue.  He added that the association has also sought time from chief minister for a meeting on the day.

It is worth mentioning here that the Budget session of Uttarakhand Assembly is commencing from March 3 at Gairsain and employees have decided to go on strike, a day earlier. While hearing a Special Leave Petition (SLP) of Uttarakhand Government the Supreme Court (SC) on February 7 had opined that the states are not bound to provide reservation in promotions and said that the reservation is not a fundamental right. 

This order brought cheers to the general and OBC employees. Their association now wants that the State Government should implement the SC order and remove the ban imposed on promotions.