JK minister asks employees to desist from hartals

With its employees all set to intensify agitation over their demands, the Jammu and Kashmir government has advised them to desist from 'hartals' and instead unite against corruption in the state.

The advise by finance minister Abdul Rahim Rather has come in the wake of protests by government employees over their demands of implementation of sixth pay commission report, enhancement of retirement age from 58 to 60 years and
regularisation of daily wagers working in different departments for years.

Rather was addressing a public meeting at Langate, 90 kms from here in north Kashmir's Kupwara district, yesterday. 

The employees have threatened to 'gherao' the state assembly during the budget session in Jammu on February 25 if the demands made by them were not met by the government.

"Hartals (strikes) increase the difficulties for the common people... All the problems could be solved amicably," he said, adding that "I am waiting for the day when employees will unite against corruption in the state".