The Hindu : Strike threat by AIR, DD staff in Srinagar

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Apr 29, 2003

Other States

Other States - Jammu & Kashmir

Strike threat by AIR, DD staff in Srinagar

By Shujaat Bukhari

SRINAGAR APRIL 28. The joint co-ordination committee of AIR and Doordarshan employees said today that its members would go on strike if their demands were not met by the authorities.

It said that the suicide attack on Radio Kashmir on Saturday "vindicated" its stand that the employees were working under "the most difficult conditions".

Though the employees of AIR and Doordarshan welcomed the Prasar Bharti Chief Executive Officer, K.S. Sarma's gesture of visiting the station, they refused to "compromise on their agenda" which had been pending for a long time.

"We cannot be compared with the other organisations of the Central Government as the nature of our job is entirely different, but still they are given a better deal," a spokesman said.

In a memorandum to Mr. Sarma, the committee said the employees should not be discriminated against.

"Srinagar Radio and Doordarshan are not mere installations of Prasar Bharti but are the edifices and symbol of the entire nation. This national significance had forced the employees to keep mum but now the time has come to raise our voice".

The executive body of the committee would meet on May 1 to chalk out the future strategy, it added.

The committee demands included a risk allowance from July 1990, messing allowance of Rs. 15 from July 1990 and Rs. 25.50 from 1997, forced night compensation, life insurance for all employees, touring staff status with headquarters at Srinagar and uniform code in terms of headquarters.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Other States

Stories in this Section

PDF seeks special package for J&K

Mann for opening border with Pak.

Strike threat by AIR, DD staff in Srinagar

Father killed for govt. dole

Panel recommends release of eight prisoners