MC employees defer strike

CHANDIGARH, Nov 14: The strike call given by the Coordination Committee of the employees of the Municipal Corporation and the Chandigarh ...

CHANDIGARH, Nov 14: The strike call given by the Coordination Committee of the employees of the Municipal Corporation and the Chandigarh Administration for November 16 has been deferred till January after Adviser to the UT Administrator, Vineeta Rai assured the employees that their long-pending demands would be met.

A decision to this effect was taken late last night at a meeting between representatives of Coordination Committee and the Administration. The meeting was chaired by the Adviser and attended by UT Finance Secretary, Municipal Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner M. Ramsekhar, Deputy Home Secretary and Chief Engineers of Corporation and Administration Puranjit Singh and R.K. Jain, among others.

The convener of the committee Ramesh Kant confirmed the withdrawal of the strike and said a massive rally will be held on November 16 near the Housing Board Chowk to apprise the workers about the discussion and minutes of the meeting with the Administration on November 13.

Referring to the deputation issue, the representatives were informed that the matter had already been taken up with the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and a draft Bill to amend the MC Act was being finalised.

After deliberations, it was decided to constitute a committee headed by Municipal Commissioner consisting of three members each from the Corporation and the Coordination Committee to deliberate on these issues and to submit the report to the Administration by December 15. The recommendation for the release of bonus for the years 1997-98 and 1998-99 on Central pattern has also been sent to the Ministry and uniforms to all Class-III employees is being examined afresh, it is stated.

It was further informed that on the basis of 5 per cent ceiling of appointment on compassionate grounds, the dependents are being given employment. The Adviser appreciated the contention of the workers that on account of the present ceiling, eligible dependents of deceased employees are not getting employment to the desired extent and assured that the matter will be taken up with Centre.

The Adviser disclosed that benefits under the Progression Scheme have been released and the same will be implemented in letter and spirit and assured representatives over the creation of new posts and filling up of vacant posts.

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After discussion, it was decided that the Corporation would assess the workload and send its report to the Administration for necessary action.