Guwahati: The All Arunachal Pradesh Public Health Engineering & Water Supply Department Workers Union (AAPPHE &WSDWU) is alleging irregularities in the recent appointment of 17 work-charged (WC) employees in the state’s Public Health Engineering & Water Supply (PHE&WS) department.
The union claims that a majority of these appointments favor individuals from the Keyi Panyor district and were made through unfair means. AAPPHE &WSDWU president Tadar Dawa, addressing a gathering of department laborers in Yachuli, expressed concern that these appointments bypass deserving candidates.
“Many dedicated workers in Keyi Panyor have served as casual laborers for over 20 years. “These recent appointments, made under the quota for Longding and Changlang districts and then transferred to Keyi Panyor, will place them under supervisors who lack their experience,” Dawa said.
Dawa further alleged political motives behind the appointments, claiming that “even Anganwadi workers and panchayat leaders were brought in.”
To voice their disapproval, the union has threatened to halt water supply across the state from May 13th onwards. Their demands include the cancellation of these appointments, the arrest of those involved, and an immediate investigation by the State Investigation Commission (SIC).
Takam Tanik, president of the AAPPHE &WSDWU’s Keyi Panyor district unit, echoed these concerns.
“If these appointments are not revoked,” he declared, “workers in Keyi Panyor will hold a dharna protest and disrupt water supply. We urge all student unions and youths of the district to join us in fighting against corruption and unfair practices. We cannot allow the reputation of our newly formed district to be tarnished.”
The AAPPHE &WSDWU has also announced a state-wide dharna protest starting May 13th if the government fails to address their grievances regarding the 17 disputed appointments.