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By Dev Ankur Wadhawan: Even as Ashok Gehlot-led Rajasthan government is claiming that its flagship initiative called ‘Mehengai Rahat Camp’ (inflation relief camp) being held across the state will prove to be a gamechanger in this crucial election year, thousands of government employees have been up in arms protesting against work for several days now.
These employees, under different ministries of the Rajasthan government, numbering around 20,000, have been on mass leave since April 10. Since April 17, the employees have been sitting on a ‘Mahapadaav’ in Jaipur and the impasse over their demands has been continuing.
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“We are not demanding anything new. There is no immoral demand. We are demanding equal pay for equal work … we are demanding that after promotion of LDC, the same Rs 3,600 work pay should be given. Our other major demand is that grade pay be restored so that employees can live a dignified life. The grade pay was reduced from Rs 9,840 to Rs 8,080,” Ashok Gujjar, one of the protesting employees told India Today.
“Through the media, we want to convey to the Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot that we are not demanding anything different. We are demanding what corresponding cadres have been demanding,” another protester, Prithviraj stated.
Speaking about the same, Panchayati Raj Samiti Chief BD Kriplani said one government gives financial benefits to employees and another takes them away. “Such an example will not be found anywhere in the country,” he said.
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PROTESTING GOVT EMPLOYEES’ DEMAND
- Restoration of grade pay on promotion of LDC to Rs 3,600
- A one-time relaxation in promotional posts up to Rs 3,600
- Issue orders for transfers across Panchayti Raj department
The protesting employees have also accused the Gehlot government of discrimination by treating secretariat employees and other government employees unequally.
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RAJASTHAN GOVT ON INFLATION CAMPS
On the one hand, thousands of government employees have been holding mass protests in Jaipur with their demands, Rajasthan government has been doing extensive tours talking about inflation relief (mehngaai raahat) camps in different districts of the state.
The state government, through these camps, promises to provide Mukhymantri Gurantee Cards which can enable people in the state to get concessions and subsidies in various flagship schemes of the government.
These schemes promise to provide health insurance of Rs 25 lakh through Chiranjeevi Bima yojana, increased pension from Rs 750 to Rs 1,000, cylinders at Rs 500, free electricity for up to 100 units, free electricity up to Rs 2,000 units for farmers amongst other benefits.
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