Pay panel: Resentment grows; oppn cashes in on anti-govt sentiment

In some cases,the increase in salary has been nominal,while in other cases there has been no hike at all.

The employees’ unions held meetings in Rohtak and Karnal today and decided to pressure the government to accept their demands.

Taking note of the growing resentment,the government formed an anomaly committee to look into the grievances of the employees and suggest remedial measures.

The employees have been asked to submit their representations to the Committee by February 15. Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda has announced that all the reservations with regard to the implementation of the Sixth Pay Commission recommendations will be sorted out by March 15.

Government doctors in the state have already threatened to go on an indefinite strike if their demands are not met. Doctors of the Haryana Civil Medical Services Association (HCMSA) have announced a mass casual leave on January 12. The doctors in the state have been demanding pay parity with their counterparts in Punjab. According to HCMSA,Hooda had agreed to meet their demands last year,but they have not been implemented yet.

The opposition,meanwhile,is taking advantage of the growing resentment among the employees. Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) has announced a padyatra in the state to create awareness on this issue. Former chief minister Om Prakash Chautala has condemned the Hooda government for not implementing the recommendations and promised pay parity if the INLD-BJP comes to power.

The Haryana Janhit Congress (HJC) is also trying to cash on the anger among the employees to its advantage. It is planning to launch a state campaign to highlight the plight of the people.