Bihar government staff strike hits flood, drought relief

PATNA - The functioning of government offices in Bihar has come to a standstill with the indefinite strike of more than 2.5 lakh state non-gazetted employees continuing fifth day Friday.

The employees of the Bihar government Monday went on an indefinite strike to press their demand for grant of higher remunerations and salaries as recommended by the Sixth Pay Commission in “letter and spirit”.

The Bihar State Non-Gazetted Employees Federation (BSNGEF) called for the strike in support of their seven-point charter of demands.

Federation leaders Rambali Prasad and Raj Kishore Rai said the functioning of the government offices across the state has been paralysed due to the strike.

The relief and rescue operations in the flood affected districts have also been affected. The state government has issued warning to the striking employees to re-join duties in the flood affected districts or face consequences. The government will initiate action against employees who do not return to work soon.

Moreover, the relief operations in the drought-hit districts to be started in September are also likely to be affected due to the strike.

The employees of the state secretariat did not join the strike but urged the state government to accept the demands within a fortnight. They warned they would join the strike if the demands were not met.

Last year also, the government employees stopped work for 34 days. The state government had promised to meet their demands.