Times News Network

Bangalore, Mar 9: No exams, an undeclared holiday for government schools/colleges. No registration of any document. No fresh vegetables.

No paying power/water bills, though the supply won't be hit. No work in government hospitals, unless it's an emergency.

No clearing of garbage. The entire government machinery is expected to come to a halt on Thursday with the Karnataka State Government Employees' Association (KSGEA) deciding to strike work for a day.

The strike is expected to affect services like government hospitals, schools, colleges, tahsildar, DC and sub-registrar offices, PWD, rural development, Hopcoms, APMC offices and so on.

Milk supply and transport services, however, won't be affected as also emergency at government hospitals. KSGEA president H N Seshe Gowda on Wednesday said: "All the 84 departments of the state government will come to a halt to support our cause.

Others, like employees from the Bangalore Mahanagara Palike, water and power departments, APMC and Hopcoms will join us. "The association's main demand: Give us same benefits central government employees enjoy.

"It has been met in all states except Karnataka. We've been asking for it for the last seven years, but all we got is multiple assurances from the government, no action.

We are striking for a day, "Gowda said. Another employees association is not joining the strike. Calling it "unwise and hurried'', the All Karnataka State Government Employees' Federation said it will wait for government's response.

The government has reacted at two levels: deputy CM B S Yediyurappa assured the association that its demands will be addressed in April, soon after the budget.

But the personnel and administrative reforms department has warned all employees of stern disciplinary action.

Chief secretary B K Das said: "One section of the employees has threatened to strike work, we are not sure how it will affect services. "Bangalore police commissioner Ajai Kumar Singh said protection will be provided for employees who work.