Summary:
Esma was imposed in order to pre-empt strikes or agitations by state government employees for next six months. We have been raising our demands since long and in the absence of assurance, we were left with no other option. Our strike will continue till February 12.”Speaking to TOI, general secretary of UP Diploma Engineers’ Federation, GN Singh, said, “Departmental works in offices were completely boycotted for the day as employees in various districts were on protest. As of now, the electricity department and the health department have been exempted from participating in the agitation but if our demand is not met with, the emergency services and power department will also be roped in to join the protest.”Tiwari added, “Meetings are being held repeatedly with chief secretary Anup Chandra Pandey but to no avail. Offices of Vikas Bhawan, regional transport office, PWD, among others, were locked down as employees remained on the roads.”When asked about the repercussion of protest with Esma in effect, Singh said that the state government employees are prepared to face the consequences against them as they have been fighting for their rights and will continue to do so.Esma, that authorises the government to take punitive action against striking employees, was announced on Monday, after talks between the union leaders and chief secretary failed to reach a consensus..