PCB workers’ protest to ringout against CEO on Friday

PUNE, July 15: The members of the Pune Cantonment Karmachari Sangh intend to resort to a `Ghantanad’ (ringing bells) agitation on July 17 outside the Pune Cantonment Board (PCB) premises to register their protest against the lackadaisical attitude of the the Cantonment Executive Officer (CEO) J Sharma.

In a statement issued here, Sheriyar Irani, president of the Sanghatana said he had submitted a memorandum to the office of Malati Krishnakumar, officiating principal director of Defence Estates, Southern Command; D K Reddy, director of Defence Estates; and Executive Officer Sharma.Irani alleged that time-bound promotions of the cantonment fund servants were not treated seriously by the CEO.

The administration, instead of giving the benefits to the workers, have raised objections to such affiliation and registration of the union, he said. Moreover although the cantonment fund servants have been brought on par with the respective State Government employees under the Memorandum of Settlement, the cantonment administration remained indifferent, Irani claimed.

The workers claimed that if the arrears were paid since 1984, a single worker will receive at least Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 20,000.