Staff launch mass protest against Raje govt in R'sthan

Showcasing their resentment against Vasundhara Raje government in Rajasthan, employees of more than forty government departments are on strike, which has crippled day to day work of the affected departments.

With elections two months away, BJP government led by Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje is facing scores of protests from disgruntled employees in various departments such as education, roadways, health, electricity and Panchayati Raj.

On Tuesday, around 2,000 employees of Panchayati Raj department resorted to symbolic resignation at Dussehra Maidan. The protest was joined by thousands of ministry staff, who also went on a hunger strike. As a result, salary of more than 7,00,000 employees and officers was not disbursed.

Manoj Saxena, state president of Rajasthan Rajya Mantralik Karmachari Mahasangh told DH, "We are on strike since September 12. We will continue our stir till the state government concedes our demands." Similarly, employees affiliated to Rajasthan Veterinary Services Association are also on strike till October 5. They are demanding change in the designation of Livestock Assistant to Livestock Supervisor.

Miffed over suspensions, the employees of the electricity department staged half-naked protest in support of their demands related to pay discrepancies, cashless mediclaim policy and other employee welfare schemes.

Bankrupt govt

What has affected most is the strike observed by a joint federation of Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation (RSRTC) employee associations, who resorted to begging on streets and sought alms from citizen to fill the government’s ‘empty coffers’.

As more than 4,500 state buses were off the roads, nearly a million commuters have been hit. Talks between the government and employees' association have been unable to find a solution. Employees at RSRTC are alleging that the state government is keen to shut down the corporation.