Jammu, 19 February (H.S.): The daily rated workers of Power Development Department (PDD/JPDCL) today held strong protest demonstration on the second consecutive day, cautioning Government to go for total black out in the region if their issue was not resolved within couple of days.

A large number of daily wage workers under the banner of PDL/TDL and Other Workers Union ( Jammu province) led by its president, Akhil Sharma assembled in the office complex of Managing Director, Jammu Power Development Corporation Ltd (JPDCL), near Panama Chowk in the morning and held strong protest demonstration on the second day. The agitating workers were carrying banners and placards in their hands, depicting slogans.

The agitating Power workers later sat on day- long protest dharna outside the office of Managing Director, JPDCL. They were shouting loud slogans in support of their demands. They are demanding their regularisation and enhancement of their wages.

While speaking on the occasion its Union president said that many workers are rendering their services even for the last 20 to 25 years in the PDD but they have not been regularized. The higher officials and even the political leaders from various parties assured them for the regularisation but till date many of them have turned over aged and were not regularized. Initially, Govt had assured that after 7 years of service they will be regularized.

A protestor said that they are getting Rs 300 as daily wage and the same has not been enhanced since long. They are unable to feed their families with just Rs 9000 per month. He said over 70 % of the workers are daily wagers in the PDD running the power system in the region but they have been left to face exploitation at the hands of the authorities,

He said they must be provided wages as per the rate in other UTs and their services be regularized without any more delay, failing which they will launch indefinite agitation. They gave ultimatum to the govt to decide their fate otherwise, they will go for black out in the region within couple of days. Later they also submitted a memorandum to the MD, JPDCL.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Krishan Kumar