Manipur government toughens stand against striking employees

Imphal : The Manipur government on Sunday signalled a tough stand against the striking employees, with Deputy Chief Minister Yumnam Joykumar saying the "no work, no pay" rule will be used against the employees do not report for duty by Monday.

One employee however said that all employees are attending office though they are not doing the official work. 

Joykumar, who holds charge of finance, said that the employees' demand for the implementation of the Seventh Pay Condition's recommendations is legitimate but requested them to wait for some time since the enhanced pay scale for over 85,000 employees and 45,000 pensioners will require an additional Rs 1,400 crore annually, which the state government simply does not have.

However, he stressed that it is not that the government has no intention of implementing the recommendations, but is waiting for the 15th Finance Commission report as Manipur could get some additional funds by then. 

He said that with the financial year is fast-ending, it is time for all sections of employees to sit together for sanctioning available funds and that "It will be good for the state if the striking employees understand it". 

He also said that the government has already set the ball rolling to engage retired persons to dispose of the time-bound files ahead of the financial year ending on March 31. 

Representatives of the striking employees however said that the matter cannot be settled by going to the media. 

"We are not saying that the enhanced pay should be paid from today. But the government must make a written commitment on the time table on the payment of the 7th Pay Commission," said one of their leaders. 

Meanwhile police sources said that some members of the Joint Administrative Council, which is spearheading the strike, may be picked up if the stir is not suspended.