On a six-point charter of demands, the Odisha Pisciculture Development Corporation Employees’ Union would hold a State-level demonstration on September 25, informed union president Purna Chandra Behera at a Press meet here on Saturday.
The union’s demands include confirming the temporary staff as permanent ones, implementing the Sixth Pay Commission recommendations for the employees and disbursement of 27-per cent DA in the fifth pay according to the decision of the 47th board meeting.
They also demand revocation of the “illegal” promotion of 10 staffs according to the decision of the 47th board meeting, reverting Balugaon District Fisheries Officer (B and T) Kshetrabasi Behera and appointing a DFO in his place as before and replacing the Senior Assistant in the Establishment Section with a person of suitable knowledge and expertise.
“We have decided to stage a demonstration before the corporation office and take to the streets till fulfilment of our demands. We would hold a protest march on September 25 from Master Canteen Square and stage a demonstration at the lower PMG,” Behera said.
In spite of repeated requests to the authorities ranging from the Odisha Pisciculture Development Corporation (OPDC) MD, the Agriculture Minister, the Fisheries and Animal Husbandry Department Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Fisheries Director to redress the issues, they are yet to consider the matter, said union general secretary Banshidhar Mallick.
The MD hasn’t taken any strong action for collection of outstanding sale proceeds of more than Rs 2.5 crore from the Government fish farms handed over to the corporation. The dues of staffs have been pending for years even after their superannuation, Mallick said.
Meanwhile, the corporation Managing Director has written a letter to the union general secretary citing that their demands are under active consideration. They have also said to solve the problems within a week, informed Mallick.