Govt Employees of Manipur reject Ibobi's statement

JOINT ADMINISTRATIVE Council(JAC) of All Manipur Trade Union Council and All Manipur Government Employees Organisation is not ready to accept what the Chief Minister O Ibobi had said here yesterday.

Manipur CM O Ibobi on the occasion of World AIDS day observation at 1st battalion Manipur Rifles parade ground on Monday said his government doesn't have the capacity to recommend the Sixth pay commission in the state.

He said, "We've no capacity to increase the salaries of state employees under Sixth pay commission as we do not have own resources." Presently there are around 62,000 state employees and 30,000 pensioners in Manipur.

Chief Minister however promised that his government would urge the official team of 13th Finance Commission which is expected to visit to the state next month to take up necessary steps in this regard.

"I will definitely request the finance commission team to extend help to the state government when they visit the state.

If they (Finance Commission) are ready, we will not hesitate to look into it," he added.

CM made his statement public only after the employees launched a series of agitation since November 6 last demanding implementation of the Sixth Pay Commission's recommendations.

CM's statement not only dashed the hopes of the employees but evoked responses from leaders of the striking JAC leaders.

A JAC leader who doesn't want to be named while speaking to this reporter over telephone here on Tuesday said that the CM's statement is nothing but a threatening call to the striking employees.

"We know the position of the government.

If they're willing, they could do it," JAC leader claimed.

According to sources available here, the government is reportedly ignoring nearly 2000 die in harness cases besides grievances of 500 adhoc employees.

JAC of the employees unions had submitted also submitted a Memorandum having a 14 point charter of demands to the state authority on September 29 last, besides submitting an ultimatum on October 18 last.

The demands of the Council include implementation of the Sixth pay commission in the state, immediate release of pending arrears of the employees (2003 to 2008) etc.

State spent Rs 125 crores for giving salaries to its employees every month.

Once the state recommends Sixth pat commission it may need around Rs 1450 crores, sources added.