Forest department employees from across the State will stage dharna and demonstration near Budha Talab on August 26. They have warned the State Government that if their demands are not met even after their dharna, they would be forced to go on for next phase of agitation.
State president of Forest Employees Association Raju Soni on Sunday informed in a press conference that hundreds of forest employees are working in 898 minor forest produce cooperative committees run in the state for the last 25 years, but still their services are not regularised. In this connection, several rounds of talks were also held with Chief Minister, Forest minister as well as officials of the forest department but nothing except assurance came from that side. In this situation they were forced to launch agitation.
Office bearers of the association alleged that they are paid Rs 5,650 monthly emoluments which is not enough to run the family. The administration is not regularising their services on the pretext that they are temporary staff even if they work in forest areas from morning to evening like a regular employee and also help in implementation of government schemes. They demanded that the State Government should amend the rule and create permanent post for them or else they would be forced to go for intensified agitation.