Already facing a possible protest by the police constabulary, the state government was caught unawares as 5.20 lakh government employees decided to go on ‘mass casual leave’ on Thursday.
They are demanding implementation of the 7th Pay Commission on par with the central government employees.
BP Manjegowda, president of Karnataka State Government Employees Association told Deccan Herald that every state government employee from 84 government departments, would remain absent from duty on Thursday.
These include employees attached to the Deputy Commissioner’s officer, BBMP, Vidhana Soudha, BWSSB, BDA, Slum Clearance Board, Khadi and Village Industries Board, all universities, educational institutions - teachers and lecturers.
Close to 30,000 lecturers from government PU colleges and private aided colleges would take part in the strike.
But the department of public instruction has said that no holiday has been declared to government schools. Besides, services of BMTC and KSRTC would not be hit as these corporations follow different pay norms.
Operation theatres, hospitals and 108 ambulances including essential services would function as usual. Dr T A Veerabhadraiah, president, Karnataka Government Medical Officers Association, said that with public interest in mind, it would be ensured that emergency services would remain unaffected.
Meanwhile, the state government has threatened stringent action against employees taking part in the strike. On Wednesday, under secretary of the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms issued a government order which states that according to various rules under the Karnataka State Civil Services Act, protesting against the government could attract severe punishment.The government can also cancel leaves and pension benefits of the protesters, according to the order.
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