Jammu: Work in government offices, hospitals and educational institutes in Jammu and Kashmir was hit for the third day Thursday due to the strike called by the Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) demanding increase in the retirement age among others.
Reports from most districts said that strike was observed in hospitals, educational institutes, government offices, Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) and Corporations,
police said.
Though emergency facilities were being provided, the healthcare system across the state was badly hit as most of the Out-Patient departments in the Government Medical College
(GMC) hospital and other hospitals remained non-functional.
Employees` associations held protest demonstrations and took out rallies here in the winter capital and district headquarters and sub-divisions in the state.
They also burnt effigies of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather in protest against the alleged step-motherly treatment.
"The shutdown is complete in the entire state. The strike will be intensified," Employees Joint Action Committee (EJAC) spokesman Farooq Ahmed told reporters here today.
"We would be forced to announce indefinite strike in J&K if they fail to respond to this strike. Government should take us seriously," Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) leader
Abdul Qayoom said.
"Chief Minister Omar Abdullah maintains he does not have money to pay the 6th Pay Commission arrears. Why did he hike his, ministers` and legislators` pay to Rs 70,000, Rs
65,000 and Rs 60,000 just a week ago. This is criminal," they said.
They further said the government should look into the demands of the employees.
The JCC is demanding release of Pay Commission arrears, increase in retirement age, enhancement of wages of daily-rated, temporary, adhoc and contractual employees,
enhancement of 20 percent house rent allowance and removal of pay anomalies among others.
PTI
