Over 1,800 employees of 92 jails across the State on Monday resorted to hunger strike for an indefinite period demanding a hike in the grade pay. The major demands of the All Odisha Jail Employees’ Association include fixing of basic pay of the wardens at par with police personnel, payment of extra allowance at 15 per cent vis-a-vis police personnel in the Maoist-hit areas and shift duty for eight hours a day and other Government benefits.
The association has been demanding grade pay parity for Warder, Head Warder and Chief Warder with that of Constable, Havildar and Havildar Major serving in the police forces.
As a mark of protest against the discrimination, the jail employees were wearing black badges since October 20 to draw the attention of the Government but in vain.
The striking jail employees said they would continue the agitation till their demands are met. Functioning of jails like Jharpada Special Jail, Berhampur Circle Jail and Choudwar Circle Jail has been hampered with the employees resorting to agitation. Further, the security system in all the jails, particularly in Maoist-dominated areas, has gone for a toss.