GUWAHATI: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Thursday said that the state government would not succumb to any pressure tactics by Confederation of Service Associations of Arunachal Pradesh (CoSAAP) while referring to their ongoing agitation during a public meeting held here at the market area of Pasighat town.
Calling the strike by CoSAAP as illegal, anti-development and against public interest, Khandu said: “Few individual under the banner of CoSAAP are misusing their position for their own benefits and are misleading the entire employee community. In fact, the majority of the employees does not approve such kind of pressure tactics.”
He said the Arunachal government would not succumb to any intimidation and arm twisting tactics. “The BJP government in the state has neither intimidated anybody nor will be intimidated by anyone. Certain individuals being aware of election timing are trying to manipulate the situation for their own benefit and giving the issue a political colour,” he said.
Sending out message of cautionary action against agitating employee, Chief Minister said ‘no work no pay rule’ would be applied on the first day of the strike. If the strike persists for second day, it would be considered as ‘break in service’ for those employees taking part.
Also stating that state government would not hesitate to terminate the agitating employee from their service, Khandu said, “We will be happy to do so as we are eager to recruit fresh hardworking and committed employees.”
Appealing the CoSAAP to rise above their self-interest and to think for the larger interest of the state, CM said that about 60% of state’s resources are spent on revenue expenditure including salaries, wages, OE and OC leaving meager 40% for development activities.
“Take a moment to consider for the welfare of others too. How justified are we to suck in all resources for our own benefit,” he asked. He said Arunachal had one of the highest government employee population ratios in the country putting great financial pressure on already resource crunch state.
Chief Minister said the state government was not against the demand of CoSAAP for additional allowances but was only seeking time as the state’s financial position was not sound as of now to meet all the demands at one go. He said as and when financial condition improved, the state government would implement allowances for government employees phase wise.
On certain genuine demands, the state government has granted tough location and soft location allowances including ‘house rent allowance’ for Group C employee and NPA for doctors. This is despite the state government not being constitutionally obliged to fulfil such demands.
Moreover, Arunachal government has always been pro-active when it comes to welfare of its employee. It is one of the few states in India to implement the 7th CPC recommendations and has been giving out other benefits time to time. The state government had also agreed to enhance the retirement age despite protests from several employees.