Pics: Prajwal Ukkuda
Daijiworld Media Network-Mangalore (TU)

Mangalore, Aug 18: The District Committee of Karnataka State Gram Panchayat Worker's' Association (KSGPWA) in association with CITU began an indefinite strike on Monday August 18 with several demands at the office of the Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat here.

As many as 40,000 gram panchayat workers including bill collectors, clerks, computer operators, watermen of 5629 grama panchayats in the State will go on indefinite strike from August 18 demanding hike in minimum wage to Rs.4,500 per month and minimum wages to all workers of grama panchayat effect from April 1.

KSGPWA which has merged with CITU will also participate in strike to be observed on August 20 in protest of price hike and Union government’s anti-people policy.

KSGPWA also demanded to stop corruption in preparation of seniority list, implementation of provident fund to all workers, Rs 5000 as minimum salary to the computer operators and to consider grama panchayat workers as permanent employees as zilla panchayat and taluk panchayat.

The association said that even though the functioning of grama panchayats has crossed 58 years, the future of grama panchayat workers has failed to meet the expected level. Union government and State government are responsible to the present condition of the grama panchayat workers.