Top News
1.70 million Maharashtra government staff to strike work from Tuesday
Mumbai, Aug 6 (IANS) Around 1.70 million Maharashtra government employees will strike work for three days from Tuesday to press their demands, including implementation of the 7th Pay Commission report, a union leader said on Monday.
Maharashtra State Employees Organisation (MSEO) President Milind Sardeshmukh said all employees right down to the taluka levels, educational and medical institutions and others will join the strike.
As a result, work in all government offices at the headquarter, Mantralaya, collectorate, tehsil and taluka levels is likely to be affected, besides in educational, medical and other affiliated institutions.
The employee leader said that the Maharashtra State Gazetted Officers Federation will not join the strike as they are hopeful their demands would be met.
“The government has been sitting on our demands, including implementation of the Pay Commission report, effective from January 1, 2016, despite the assurance by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis,” Sardeshmukh told IANS.
The state government is dilly-dallying by saying it is awaiting K.P. Bakshi Committee report in the matter as implementing the Pay Commission recommendation would entail additional burden of a staggering Rs 21,000 crore on the debt-hit state.
Other major demands include implementation of five-day week, increasing the retirement age from 58 to 60, and filling up of over 200,000 vacancies in the state.
The MSEO, Maharashtra State Class IV Employees Association and other affiliated associations had served a notice for the strike to the General Administration Department on July 16, but there was no response from the government.
The unions have said that this time they will not settle for “mere assurances.”
A meeting between the authorities and the union representatives was underway in Mantralaya till late this evening to sort out the issues, but the outcome was not known.
On the major demand of recruitment, a state government official said that the state plans to start a mega recruitment for filling up 70,000 posts, but the unions say it is not enough as there are over 200,000 vacant posts at all levels across the administration.
In 1975, state employees went on a 33-day strike. In 1977-1978, they struck work for 54 days in support of various demands.
–IANS
qn/tsb/sed
Top News
Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.