Mallika Dureja
KOLKATA: On Friday, numerous West Bengal government employees joined a strike called by ‘Sangrami Joutho Manch,’ a coalition of 35 unions, to demand an increase in dearness allowance (DA).
Several government offices and schools appeared to be deserted on Friday, despite the fact that the state’s finance department had warned absent employees of severe repercussions, including a halt in service and salary reductions.
Since January, numerous organisations have been agitating for a DA increase comparable to that of federal government employees. Additionally, employees participated in a 48-hour “pen down” protest last week.
On Friday, the government demanded that more than ninety percent of its employees be present at work.
“The strike had no effect on the normal operation of the offices. Attendance exceeded 90%. The majority of absentees were covered by various exemptions. “Action will be taken against employees who have willfully remained absent,” the state administration said in a statement.
In front of the gates of state government institutions such as the Writers Building, Bikash Bhavan, Khadya Bhavan, Swastha Bhavan, and Kolkata Municipal Corporation, protesters camped out.
Recently, chief minister Mamata Banerjee rejected the demand for a further increase in DA, stating that the state lacked the necessary funds. “We do not have the necessary funds. We have provided 3% additional DA. “You may sever my cranium if you are not satisfied,” she said.
Abhishek Banerjee, general secretary of the Trinamool Congress, stated that the protesters should implore the central government to settle the state’s outstanding debts. “They are permitted to call for a strike. “Despite the fact that I do not believe in this,” Banerjee said.
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The state president of the BJP, Sukanta Majumdar, stated that his party supported the employees. “The state government has threatened a service disruption. We have promised that if the BJP gets to power, this provision will be eliminated,” he said.
Several BJP activists and leaders, including BJP legislator Agnimitra Paul, were injured during the Bidhannagar protest when the police had to use force to disperse the agitators.
