Lucknow:More than 16 lakh government employees in Uttar Pradesh tonight called off their strike following assurances from the state government that their demands would be looked into.
The state-wide agitation was called off on the second day of the three-day ‘maha-hartal’ following a rapprochement between the government and the striking employees’ association ‘Rajya Karmchari Sanyukt Parishad (RKSP)’, a senior official said tonight.
He said Chief Secretary Deepak Singhal has assured the leaders of the striking association that their main demand for cashless medical treatment would be met within 15 days.
The RKSP leaders also said their other demands would be considered by the government which has set up a three-member committee headed by the Agriculture Production Commissioner (APC).
More than 16 lakh government employees in Uttar Pradesh were on a three-day strike over issues ranging from promotion and cashless medical facilities since yesterday.
On the second day of the strike, the RKSP claimed the ongoing strike was successful in the state and caused a loss of Rs 1,800 crore to the state government.
Basic Education, Secondary Education Directorate, Social Welfare, Public Works Department, Labour, Transport, Treasury, Agriculture and Accounts offices wore a deserted look in the absence of the staffers.
Employees were seen protesting at the entrance of their offices over demands including cashless treatment of staffers, promotion of revenue officers, sanitation workers and time-bound promotions for clerks.
“The strike has caused a revenue loss of Rs 1,800 crore to the state government till the second day,” RKSP president Harikishore Tiwari claimed.
He said the strike has received support from other organisations, including Adhikari Karamchari Mahaparishad.
In Lucknow, the protesting employees locked the horticulture department and held a meeting.
Parishad’s general secretary Atul Mishra said a ‘token strike’ of three hours was observed in the health department.