Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, March 13, 2010:
Supply of safe drinking water in Manipur severely affected in the state particularly in Imphal city area as water supply schemes closed down owing to the joining of the employees of the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) in the cease work strike of employees of the state government.
Defying the ban imposed on strike in the essential service sectors under the Manipur government, PHED employees joined the cease work strike from Saturday extending support to the cease work strike.
Government employees are on cease works strike for the last 52 days demanding revised sixth pay bands recommended by the Sixth Pay Commission in toto effective from January 2006 under the banner of the Joint Administrative Council (JAC) of All Manipur Trade Unions Council (AMTUC) and All Manipur Government Employees Organisation (AMGEO).
The strike commenced from January 16 last.
On Friday, government in exercise of the powers conferred under section 3(1) of the Manipur Essential Services Maintenance Act 1984, prohibited employees of PHED and Electricity department cover by the Act to launch any sort of strike which would amount to posing serious hazards to health and endangering the life of the public.
Stern action will be taken up for dislocating the 'essential services' as outlined under section 2(a)(ii) and (iv) of the Manipur Essential Services Maintenance Act 1984, the order issued by the state home department stated.
Government's adamant attitudes in bringing an end to the deadlock with the JAC compelled the PHED employees to join the cease work despite the ban imposed, according to the employees of the department.
Government remaining in deaf without hearing the shouts of its employees even though the cease work strike is about to complete two month, has compelled them to join the cease work strike, I Rakesh, publicity secretary of the PHED Workers and Employees Organisation said in a statement.
He also blamed Cabinet Ministers as well as MLAs of both ruling and opposition for remaining mum on the issued when Chief Minister O Ibobi neglected the employees.
Why they are remaining like silent spectators.
Whether they are thinking the chief minister is right or what their stances with the regard to the demand of the employees should be made clear to the public, he demanded.
He also appealed the people to bear with the inconveniences and not to blame the employees on their stance but warned the government that they will not bear responsible for any loss or damage cause due to the non-supply of the water.
The suspension supply of water caused severe difficulties to the people particularly residing in the Imphal city areas.
Many residents said when no water supply they has to purchase untreated water from the potters who used to collect water from the Kangla pat.
Hotel and eateries in the city area also expressed concerned over the stoppage of supply of safe drinking as they will be compelled to supply unsafe water to the customers.