Demanding their service absorption and regularisation in RD & PR department, Govt of Manipur, the employees of MGNREGS, Senapati had put up a protest in front of DC Office, Senapati. The step was reportedly taken up in accordance with the All Manipur Hill Districts MGNREGS Employees Association to cease their works until their demands are fulfilled.
Placards written with “Absorption & regularisation of long sufferers in RD & PR deptt., Stop divide and rule policy between the valley and hills in Manipur, No regularisation of our service, No work; We demand our service regularisation to Govt., Stop injustice to Manipur Hill Districts and regularise our service like having regularised the employees in the valley districts in 2016” were held during their protest.
While supporting the protest of the employees, Pung Mark, President, Senapati District Students’ Association stated that the District student body is with the contractual staff of the MGNREGS to support their cease work strike as they enter into 13 days cease work protest. MGNREGS was first launched in the hill districts of Manipur in 2006 followed by launching of the same scheme in the valley, he said adding the contractual staff of the valley were later regularised in the RD & PR in the year 2016. Whereas, staff in the hill districts have been appealing and requesting the Govt for regularisation of the same like in the valley. However, the State Govt has not taken any action. In this regard, the student leader mentioned on behalf of the employees to expedite the process and not to discriminate between the valley and the hills.
Assuring to be with the employees morally even when they take up any democratic agitation, the President stated that they have been working for so many years and sad to learn that their employments have not been regularised till date.
In order to bring justice between the hills and the valley, the student leader stated that their voice should be heard without which, lots of important works have been kept pending leaving the people to suffer. On behalf of the district student body, the President of the Senapati District Students’ Association appeals the Govt to expedite the process and look into the matter at the earliest.