PCS officers observe daylong strike

Tribune News Service
Amritsar, September 11

Punjab Civil Services (PCS) officers deputed in local offices on Wednesday observed a pen-down strike against the rising incidents of violence. In a press release issued by the PCS Officers’ Association strongly condemned the horrible incidents of attacks on dignity of officers while performing their duties. 

“It is very disturbing that some of the attacks occurred on officers while performing disaster relief work or conducting elections in fair manner. Though, we understand that it is only antisocial elements or small fringe of organised groups, who indulge in such crimes. It is regrettable that no adequate action has been taken by authorities concerned,” said PCS officers assembled at the DC office.

The officials claimed that there had been about 10 major incidents in the recent past. “We are deeply regretted that even in blatant cases of illegal restraint confinement or attack, the association has to approach superior authority to get even FIR registered. Sadly no follow up action or presentation of challan has been done in these cases, thus further jeopardising the officers’ security. The glaring examples had been incidents at Dhuri, Nihalsingh Wala, Moga, Ludhiana and Zira,” added office-bearers of the PCS Officers’ Association.

The officials claimed that even long-pending grievances of the association had not been addressed. “There is inadequate infrastructure and severe shortage of staff in government offices. Our officers are not being posted on their cadre posts. The young officers are getting only Rs 15,600 in first two years of their service. Our officers are severely stressed yet perform their duties reasonably,” said officers.

The association urged the state government to redress their grievances and accept the long-pending demands within 15 days, depending on which further course of action will be decided.

Our correspondent adds from Tarn Taran: On the call of the PCS Officers’ Association, all officers in the district on Wednesday observed a pen-down strike and wore black badges.  The functioning at the administrative offices came to a standstill as employees and other officials at the DC, SDM, tehsil, sub-tehsil offices were on strike for the last three days.

The protesting PCS officers were demanding release of fully salary for the newly recruited officers who were getting only Rs 15,600 for the first two years.  

Sandeep Rishi, PCS, Additional Deputy Commissioner (General), said the PCMS doctors and judicial officers were getting full salary with other allowances and facilities. Besides Sandeep Rishi, local SDM Surinder Singh, SDM Patti Navraj Singh Brar, SDM Khadoor Sahib Kulpreet Singh and Hardeep Singh Dhaliwal, Assistant Commissioner (General), sported black badges.