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BKU’s Charuni backs PGI Rohtak staff in push for job security

BKU president Gurnam Singh Charuni extends support to protesting outsourced employees at the PGIMS-Rohtak on Tuesday. Varun Gulati

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Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) president Gurnam Singh Charuni on Tuesday extended his support to the protesting outsourced employees of PGI Rohtak, who have been staging a dharna outside the Mini Secretariat since October 3. The workers are demanding inclusion under the Haryana Kaushal Rozgar Nigam (HKRN) portal for regularisation and job security.

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Charuni also participated in a symbolic one-day hunger strike alongside six employees – Abhishek, Sukanya, Rakesh, Satish, Urmila and Anita – in solidarity with the protesters.

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Expressing his anger over the continued neglect of the workers’ demands, Charuni warned that India was inching towards a mass uprising fuelled by growing public resentment over inequality and unfulfilled rights. “When people are denied their rights, anger builds within them – and that anger is now spreading across the country,” he said.

Drawing parallels with the recent turmoil in Sri Lanka and Nepal, Charuni cautioned that public uprisings in those countries had led to serious consequences. “Such conditions are dangerous for any nation. If the government continues to ignore the situation, the outcome could be disastrous,” he said.

According to Charuni, the PGI employees began their strike on June 2 in Rohtak. Towards the end of September, they attempted to march to Chandigarh but were stopped in Karnal. Since then, they have continued their protest in Rohtak.

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Charuni alleged government officials and ministers had been misleading the workers with false assurances for months. “They have struggled for a long time, but the government is failing to address their concerns. If the authorities continue to ignore them, we are prepared to launch a mass movement in their support,” he said.

He also accused the government of corruption in the procurement of paddy. “Paddy is being bought from Uttar Pradesh at Rs 1,500 per quintal but is shown as being purchased at MSP rates in Haryana’s mandis. Records are being manipulated, and inferior-quality grain is being mixed with government stocks. Even PDS rice is not reaching the poor,” he alleged. “The poor are being looted while the rich are shielded. The government remains indifferent, with officials and employees working hand in glove,” he added.

Protesting employee Sukanya said over 1,200 PGI Rohtak staff had been on strike for four months, with the Karnal leg of the dharna lasting more than 20 days. “Our demands are still unheard. Even the Karnal administration misled us. We are being forced to observe a ‘Black Diwali’. We are not receiving salaries and have no job security,” she said, alleging serious irregularities in PGI Rohtak’s administration.

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