Date:10/03/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/03/10/stories/2006031007800400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Association's credibility takes a beating

Special Correspondent

Successive governments have maintained cordial relations with employees' association

Government has been sympathetic to employees' demands

Previous government constituted Fifth Pay Commission

Bangalore: The question is being raised as to why the Karnataka State Government Employees' Association gave a call for a strike on Thursday at all as the present Government and the previous one have been sympathetic to the demands of the employees.

The call for the strike was opposed by the rival association of employees, Akhila Karnataka State Government Employees' Federation. The federation went on a day's strike on the same demands in September 2005.

The Dharam Singh government constituted the Fifth Pay Commission headed by C. Gopal Reddy, and the new Government is awaiting its report.

Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy had met the leaders of the employees' association more than once and appealed to them to avoid going on strike. Even on Wednesday, Deputy Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa, who holds the Finance portfolio, appealed to the association not to go on strike.

The credibility of the employees' association has taken a beating. Most of the employees all over the State stayed away from their offices believing in the determination of the association leaders to embarrass the Government. As the announcement regarding the withdrawal of the strike was made after 10.30 a.m., there were hardly any employees around government offices to report for work.