Taking cognizance on the secretariat employee agitation, who have been sitting on strike after Cabinet decision to open secretariat six days a week and mandatory attendance through bio-metric system since November 11, State Chief Minister has called Cabinet meeting on November 18.
Sources said that State Government may withdraw his prior decision because there is no official declaration of cabinet meeting made because winter session has been called by the Governor.
Even five-day Winter Session from 24 to 28 November of the Uttarakhand Assembly, which has been called by the Governor to pass the supplementary budget, is slated to begin on November 24.
Source said that CM Rawat has already made an appeal to the employee but they seem adamant on their decision and categorically said that unless and until Government withdraws the decision, they would not resume work.
Meanwhile State Government had implemented the no work, no pay policy on secretariat employees on strike with information being sought from various sections about those on strike.
Additionally, in a PIl filed in the Uttarakhand High Court, an explanation has been sought from the State Government as to what alternative arrangements have been made to prevent public inconvenience resulting from the strike of secretariat employees.
The HC has also noted that implementing the no work, no pay policy alone is not enough. Talking to The Pioneer, Secretariat administration secretary PS Jangpangi said that the secretariat employees except drivers, security and outsourced staff have been on strike since November 11 against the cabinet decision to have a six-day working week in the secretariat.
“Talks have been held at two levels to end the strike. The cabinet has taken a decision but it is improper of the employees to respond to it even before completion of the due process and issuance of the Government order to the effect. Enforcing the no work, no pay order, we have sought and have started getting information to identify the employees on strike.” he said Although he expressed being unaware about any such move of the State Government.