Protest outside Raj Bhavan for better wages

Jammu, December 5

The employees of Dharmarth Trust on Saturday staged a demonstration outside the Raj Bhavan here, seeking intervention of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha in resolving various demands that they have raised including enhancement of their salaries.

Run by the erstwhile royal Dogra family, the trust was founded in 1846 by Maharaja Gulab Singh to maintain temples and other properties associated with them in Kashmir, Jammu, Himachal Pradesh, Haridwar and Varanasi.

The employees, including dozens of priests, assembled outside the Raj Bhavan under the banner of Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) to highlight their various demands including pay scale on par with Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) employees, release of one month pay as bonus, release of 15 per cent Dearness Allowance installment and implementation of a health scheme.

A BMS spokesperson on Friday said they were forced to protest due to the rigid attitude of the management.

The porters also demanded revocation of the suspension order of five of their colleagues, including the Dharmarth Trust Employees Association president and general secretary, due to the protest.

They also demanded a probe into the financial transactions. “Majority of the employees are paid just Rs 6,000, while those who have completed 40 years of their services are paid Rs 9,000. Their families are suffering because of low wages,” the spokesperson said. He also urged Trust chairman Karan Singh, son of last Dogra ruler Maharaja Hari Singh, to hold talks and revoke the suspension order of five employees immediately. — PTI