Class III employees’ strike affects court proceedings in Pune

More than 750 Class III employees of the Pune district court went on an indefinite strike from Tuesday to protest against the delay in implementing recommendations of the Shetty Commission.

The first day of the statewide strike, called by Nyayalayeen Karmachari Sanghatana, adversely affected routine proceedings in all courts in Pune district.

Almost all members of the organisation working as clerks did not report for duty and held demonstrations at the district court gate number 4. Clerks having served less than three years, however, reported for duty in their respective courts.

The Pune Bar Association (PBA) extended support to the strike. Secretary of the PBA, Amol Kajale-Patil said, “The PBA is supporting the strike and hopes a solution to the vexed issue will soon emerge.”

Advocate Kaynat Shaikh said, “Barring a few courts, proceedings in all courts were affected due to the strike. In many cases the matter has been deferred for the next date.”
Sanjay Chavan, a litigant in a civil case said, “Due to unavailability of clerks, the court deferred the case till next week. I will have to come again next week.”

District court registrar, Vidya Mishra, told DNA, “Only clerical work — which includes issuing certified copies and taking court proceedings in Marathi — have been affected. Registration of cases is going on as usual.”

She said only clerks had gone on strike; so the work done by stenographers and peons is going on and in many courts they were helping out to continue the court proceedings.

“However, if the strike continues for another three days then there is a possibility of court proceedings getting hampered,” she added.