BANGALORE, January 2: Karnataka Chief Minister J H Patel today appealed to the striking government employees to call off their agitation and pleaded government's inability to take any decision on their demand for wage revision in the wake of Election Commission (EC) bringing into effect the poll code.He told reporters the indefinite strike launched by the employees from today was discussed at the cabinet meeting. Meanwhile, Chief Secretary B K Bhattacharya told The Indian Express on Thursday night that action under the Strikes (prevention) Act would be initiated against the employees indulging in strike.
The Chief Electoral Officer, S K Hazra clarified to the Government that it would be violative of the code of conduct if any benefits were extended now as the code had come into force with the announcement of the election dates, he said.
The employees are demanding merger of DA with the basic pay and grant of interim relief on par with other states.
Even if a decision was taken, it cannot be
announced, as it would amount to violation of code of conduct. Patel said the government would hold another round of talks with the employees association on January 5 and explain them the difficulties faced by it. Law Minister M C Nanaih said with the government offering 15 per cent interim relief, the quantum of hike given to the employees since 1993 goes upto to 32 per cent as 17 per cent salary hike was given four years ago. He reminded the employees that whereas the Centre revised salaries of its employees after a gap of 11 years, the state was prepared to grant a hike just four years after the 1993 revision.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
