Gram Rojgar Sevakas (GRSs) will organise a State-wide protest on February 18 to press for fulfillment of their demands which include job regularlisation, promotion to VlW and PEO posts, social security and minimum salary of Rs 9,300 per month and TA/DA as per Government rules.
The Ganjam District Unit of the Nikhil Odisha Gram Rojgar Sangh led by its president Manoj Kumar Sahu had earlier submitted a memorandum to the authorities requesting to fulfill their demands by February 5, which remain unheeded still.
Significantly, GRSs are engaged as Multi Purpose Assistant (MPA) in gram panchayats for successful implementation of scores of Government welfare schemes, like MGNREGA, DDU-GKY, IAY and BPG, starting from job card registration to online entry of daily expenditure. But they are paid a paltry honorarium of Rs 3,000 a month, said Sahu.
Each of the GRSs is a graduate and has been given computer training by the Panchayati Raj Department to handle accounting system of MGNREGS at panchayat level, he informed. Ganjam district has 475 GRSs, one in each GP.
Sahu said all GRSs will take out a protest rally from the Upper Bus Stand, Chatrapur and will proceed to the Collector’s office where a memorandum would be submitted to the Government through the Collector.
Sahu condemned the letter issued by the Panchayat Raj Department Secretary to the district administration asking to disengage the GRSs if they resort to agitation.
“The letter discloses the anti-workers mindset of the Government and is undemocratic and dictatorial,” alleged Sahu. BJP leader Rama Chandra Panda said these GRSs should be regularized with a higher salary as they play a lead role in discharging enormous financial and administrative responsibilities at grass root levels for the Government.
He urged upon the Government to fulfil their demands in the best interest of the State.