Chief Minister Raman Singh on Monday decided to constitute a high-level committee comprising senior officials that will deliberate over the various demands of government employees of Bastar division, a statement informed.
The High-level Committee will comprise of Additional Chief Secretary of Finance Department DS Mishra, Principal Secretary Home NK Oswal, Secretary of General Administration KR Pisda and Secretary to SC/ST Development Department Manoj Kumar Pingua.
The Government employees in tribal but Maoists dominated Bastar region which is made up of seven districts, are on an indefinite strike since Friday while demanding a ‘Risk and Tribal Area Allowance.’During the first phase of their agitation last month nearly 25,000 employees wore black badges and reached their offices and also threatened to go on indefinite strike if their demands are not met with.
Ever since Maoists stepped up violence in tribal Bastar—particularly after the anti-Naxal movement Salwa Judum began in June 2005—government employees in tribal Bastar region were demanding risk allowance and other benefits.