While the Jharkhand Assembly was in session this Monday, protestors numbering in hundreds laid siege to the State legislature with an array of demands. Coming from two different job profiles, MNREGA functionaries and Anganwadi Sevikas, agitators raised similar demands of job security and payment of arrears, among others.
Backing the cause of protestors and bashing the State Government, former Union Minister Subodh Kant Sahay stated, “Those protesting today usually work with the poorer sections of the society for their professions as Government employees. They have the responsibility of executing the projects ideated by the Government. Demands they raise here are justified, but the government has failed to fulfil them in its pride.”
Officials and staff appointed on contractual basis for implementation of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) across the State arrived at Birsa Chowk on Monday under the banner of Jharkhand Rajya MNREGA Karmachari Sangh with demands of regularisation and increase in wages.
“We demand that either appointment of panchayat secretaries is suspended in favour of adjustment of contractual MNREGA staff or we are regularised. We have also submitted a memorandum featuring these demands and addressed to CM Raghubar Das. Although, we are yet to receive any assurance from the government,” stated Basant Singh, State Head, Jharkhand Rajya MNREGA Karmachari Sangh.
He added, “The future course of action has also been decided. If our demands are not met, we will go on a symbolic strike from March 7 to 9. We will also conduct gherao at the CM’s residence on March 9. In case even this fails to move the Government to our cause, we will go on a hunger strike to achieve that goal.”