Port Blair, Dec 18: On account of undue delay in settlement of the demands of the daily rated workers of APWD attached with various Divisions and Sub-Divisions of APWD in A & N Islands, the union of Andaman Sarvajanik Nirman Vibhag Mazadoor Sangh (Affiliated to CITU) in support of the workers gone on indefinite strike and Dharna at the entrance gate of Chief Engineer Office, Port Blair from 17.12.2015.
Since the matter is relating to Daily Rated Workers, the M.P., A & N Islands who arrived at Port Blair yesterday on 17.12.2015 has taken up the matter of DRMs seriously.
At about 1230 Hrs, Shri Ray, MP met the Chief Secretary in his chamber in the presence the Principal Secretary (PWD). Soon after the discussion with Chief Secretary, Shri Ray, MP alongwith Shri Chandrachoodan, President and Office bearers of the Union of Andaman Sarvajanik Nirman Vibhag Mazdoor Sangh have a joint discussion with the Principal Secretary(PWD), wherein the Joint Secretary, APWD, A&N Administration was also present.
During the discussion, Shri Ray, MP and Shri Chandrachoodan, President, SNVMS both in reference to the case of the Tourism Department, Transport Department, Port Management Board, Municipal Council, Forest Department etc. have stated that the case of daily rated Mazdoor of APWD is similar to the case of other DRMs. As such the workers of APWD are very much admissible to get similar benefits.
Shri Ray, MP further informed that, the Administration, Forest Department, Municipal Council, Port Blair have regularized the services of 7 DRMs of Administration,124 DRMs of Forest Department and 138 DRMs of Municipal Council in terms of Govt. of India’s OM dated 11.12.2006.
Finally after having detailed discussion in support of the award of Labour Court (Durga Mondal & Others) and others substantial documents, the Principal Secretary (PWD) expressed that he also having sympathy with the workers and assured to take up the matter seriously for sympathetic consideration and also to allow the benefit of 1/30th pay plus DA at the relevant scale of pay and bonus, as admissible to them at the earliest as possible.
Similar assurance has been also given by the Chief Secretary, A & N Administration. After receiving such assurance from the Chief Secretary and from the Principal Secretary (PWD), Shri Chandrachoodan, President, SNVMS in presence of Shri Bishnu Pada Ray, Hon’ble M.P. has called off the Strike/Dharna at 13.30 hrs on today the 18th December,2015 and asked the workers to resume their duty at respective places.
