In a bid to mount pressure on the Government over their long-pending demands, about a dozen unions representing Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, sweepers, nurses, teachers, labourers and other State Government employees will be observing a day-long fast on Wednesday outside Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s residence, demanding release of their salaries and allowances and regularisation of all contractual workers in the national Capital.
Having joined hands to take on the AAP Government for not addressing their pressing issues, these unions have decided that if the administration fails to redress their grievances by January 16, they will take their agitation to every nook and corner of the city till all their demands are met.
Former city legislator, who is heading the agitation, said it was going to be a “do or die” battle for all the unions till all of their demands were met. “Whatever promises all the political parties have made to us before the elections, they are bound to implement them.”
At a recent public meeting of various organisations of the Delhi SC/ST and Backward Classes and Safai Karamcharis held under the leadership of former All India Congress Committee secretary Jai Kishen, a unanimous decision was taken that these bodies would continue their agitation till a lasting solution is found to their long-pending demands.
“After our one-day fast, we will be giving a 10-day deadline to the CM to address all our issues. If he does address all our issues, well and good. Otherwise, he will have it,” Jai Kishen said.
The major demand of the protesters is that the salaries of all the employees be released on time, settlement be done of all those who have either retired or died, pension of widows and elderly citizens be released with immediate effect and other benefits which have been withdrawn be given back to one and all.