Imphal, July 06: Launching a scathing attack on the councillors of Imphal; Municipal Council, striking employees of the council today charged them of being corrupt and not doing anything for the people who have elected them nor for development of the Council.

Talking to The Sangai Express today, representative of the employees who are on cease work strike demanding payment of their pending salaries for the last 15 months, blamed the councillors for the present chaotic state affair in the Council.

None of them ever discharged their duties with a sense of dedication, but tried to make the employees as scapegoats for their own undoing, they said denouncing such attitude of the councillors.

Continuing the tirade against the Councillors, the striking employees alleged them of taking more interest in making more new appointments and allotment of Dukan plots with a view to earn extra money.

Justifying their demands for payment of pending salaries, the employees maintained that the taxes accrued from Octroi alone is enough for giving the salary and pension to the employees.

But after the councillors have privatised Octroi, they failed to collect the money adequately and in time, they alleged.

Disclosing that the deficit amount of the Council has crossed over Rs 8 crores till March this year, the striking employees asserted that the financial crisis would remain as long as the present councillors remain in office.

With a sense of deja vue, the striking employees recalled that when the Council was directly under the administration of the Government, IAS officers like Barun Mitra and RK Nimai put all their efforts improvement of the financial condition of the council and ensure payment of salaries and pensions to the employees in time.

It might be all more better for the Government to take over the administration of the Council once more, they opined.

When The Sangai Express contacted, Council Chairperson G Moirangjao and Vice Chairperson P Shitaljit informed that talks have been held with the striking employees but failed to resolve the deadlock.

During the talks, the Council proposed for paying off the pending salaries for employees till the rank of LDC first of all, but the striking employees insisted that the salaries should be paid off for all the employees at the same time, the chairperson and the vice-chairperson informed.

Adhoc employees' stir: Protesting against the indifferent attitude of the Government to its demands, All Manipur Adhoc Employees Association has launched indefinite fast unto death agitation from today.

The agitating adhoc employees are demanding extension and regularization of their service and paying of their pending salaries.

As first phase of the agitation, 15 adhoc employees from 15 different departments took part in the demonstration being held at Singjamei Bus Parking.

In the event of Government using its force against the agitators, another batch would carry forward the agitation, Association convenor Dr Joyraj told media-persons today.

Informing that the Association had given an ultimatum to the Government to fulfil the demands of the adhoc employees within July 5, he said that the Association has been compelled to launch the agitation in the failure of the Government in giving a positive response to the demands.

Comment