Suresh Kumar sits in dharna for GTTC staff

Former minister and BJP leader S Suresh Kumar on Monday staged a dharna in front of the Commerce and Industries department at Vikasa Soudha, demanding implementation of a government order pertaining to increasing retirement age to 60 years from 58 at the Government Tool Room and Training Centre (GTTC).

All the government departments have implemented the order issued in 2008, except the GTTC. The government had assured to implement it on the floor of the Assembly early this year, but it has not taken any action in this regard. The GTTC management has given it in writing to its employees that it will not increase the retirement age, he told reporters.
Suresh Kumar was accompanied by some aggrieved employees of the GTTC.

He further said the Advocate General of Karnataka had informed the department that there was no option but to implement the order. Even the Karnataka High Court has directed the GTTC and the government to extend the benefit to the employees. However, so far no action has been taken. Instead, the GTTC management has been forcing its employees to retire at the age of 58, he alleged.

He later withdrew the protest after GTTC Managing Director T Halaswamy met him and assured to take appropriate action.