The Arunachal Pradesh Government has warned its employees that disciplinary action will be taken against them, if they join the pen and tool down strike as proposed by the Confederation of Service Association of Arunachal Pradesh (CoSAAP) from 11 October.
Also read: Arunachal Govt asked to implement 7th pay panel recommendations in toto
A government order issued on Wednesday stated, “Any government employee taking part in the pen/tool down strike shall be in gross contravention with CCS (Conduct) Rules, and such employees will be liable for disciplinary proceedings under CCS (CCA) Rules and other relevant Act/Rules,”.
Taking serious view of the proposed strike, the government observed that the proposed strike, if continued, may lead to total breakdown of the state machinery and thereby resulting in violation of fundamental rights of many citizens because of non-functioning of the government, according to a state government release.
While responding to CoSAAP’s demands, an official statement said that the Cabinet has decided to grant the House Rent Allowance (HRA) and Tough Location Allowance (TLA) despite the ‘precarious’ financial condition of the State.
“The decisions were taken by the State Cabinet keeping very sympathetic view towards the members of the Confederation in spite of the fact that it will involve an estimated financial implication of approximately, Rs. 90 crores per annum,” the statement added.
The State Cabinet also noted that ‘the recommendations of the 7th CPC have not been implemented in most of the states in the country, especially in the north-eastern region.
The Cabinet noted that a major share of the total financial resources are being spent on salaries, wages, OE/OC, repair and maintenance, POL etc leaving hardly any fund for spending on the necessarily required infrastructural facilities in the important sectors of the State.
The CoSAAP has been demanding the 7th central pay commission allowances in toto, along with other service benefits for the employees ‘on the strength of the provisions contained in the Statehood Act, 1986, and further Adaptation of Laws orders of 1989’.
While reacting to the statement of the state government, the CoSAAP in a release stated, ‘we have given sufficient time to state government to address our demands but they have not taken any positive steps to settle the issues till date. Now, more than 70000 odd employees are united and such pressure tactics of authority will bring no solution.’