J&K govt warns stricter action, employees strike enters 8th day

The Jammu and Kashmir government today warned that strict action under ESMA will be taken against its striking employees forcing others not to work even as their strike entered the eighth day.
   
Divisional commissioner, Jammu, Pawan Kotwal said that Head of Departments have been instructed to keep a watch on the working of employees and report regularly about those absent.

He said their salary will be deducted and strict action under Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) will be taken against those employees who force others not to work.

About 4.5 lakh state government and PSU employees are on strike from April 3 and have extended their stir till April 13 demanding arrears of their revised salaries and raising of retirement age from 58 years to 60 years.
   
Kotwal said 37 employees and their leaders have so far been arrested in Jammu region.
   
However, work has resumed in Out Patient Doors (OPDs), laboratories and operation theatres of Government Medical College (GMC) Jammu, its associated hospitals and other district hospitals in the region, he said.
   
Reports from Kashmir Valley and Ladakh region said work in government offices and PSUs also continued to suffer due to the strike.