“DA not being released, GP fund not being paid, expression of grievances criminalised”
JK News Today
Srinagar, November 30: The Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (JKPDP), has expressed profound concern over the plight of Government employees in Jammu & Kashmir. The party highlighted the alarming trend of systematic victimisation, denial of rights, and a disregard for the well-being of the hardworking employees of Jammu and Kashmir.
In a statement issued here today, the party chief spokesperson Syed Suhail Bukhari said that the employees, numbering in the lakhs, are facing multiple challenges that range from economic hardships to a stifling suppression of their voices.
“On one end, there is no respite from the escalating inflation, and on the other hand, their legitimate rights are being blatantly denied,” Bukhari said.
One of the primary concerns raised in the statement is the delay in releasing Dearness Allowance (DA), causing financial strain on the employees who are grappling with the rising cost of living. Pre August 5, 2019, the employees of the state would get the enhanced DA in a time bound manner soon after it was announced for the central government employees, but in Naya Kashmir and during the Ache Din that remains a distant dream. “Even as the DA has been released for the government employees in Ladakh, there seems to be a different yardstick for the employees of J&K,” he said.
Bukhari expressed dismay at the withholding of employees’ hard-earned money saved in the form of the General Provident Fund (GP Fund), which is critical for their future financial security.
“Claims for partial withdrawal of GP Fund by the employees are pending for years and the amount runs in not less than hundreds of crores. This is the money that an employee saves for rainy days and emergencies. And when they need it the most, they don’t get money from their own savings,” he added.
The statement shed light on the agonising reality faced by the employees upon superannuation, as their gratuity cases remain unresolved. This delay adds to the anxiety of retiring employees who deserve a timely and just settlement of their dues.
“It is disheartening to witness a scenario where employees, who contribute significantly to the development of our region, are treated as if their grievances do not matter. It is their right to have their gratuity cases finalised, their hard-earned money released, and their voices heard,” Bukhari lamented.
Highlighting an even more distressing aspect, the he criticised the suppression of dissent, stating, “In a manner reminiscent of a dictatorship, our employees are being barred from expressing their legitimate grievances. The right to protest for one’s rights and the freedom to express oneself are fundamental pillars of any democratic society. Denying our employees these basic rights is a direct affront to the principles we hold dear.”
Bukhari called upon the concerned authorities to address these issues promptly and ensure the well-being and rights of the employees are safeguarded. The party remains committed to advocating for the rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and fostering an environment where every citizen can voice their concerns without fear of reprisal.
