With the all-too-important Gujarat assembly election staring in the face, the Government of Gujarat has employed all the resources in its command in trying to quell various agitations. Various aggrieved organizations across the state have been up in arms against the Government with their long pending demands. Just as elections are approaching, as a tactic, the groups were seen being more stubborn.
Never to let any weak link aggravate the situation where the formidable election machine can malfunction even momentarily, the BJP was immediately on the job of finding ways to appease the agitators. It is often said, complacency does not exist in BJP’s lexicon. It proved right once again in Gujarat in recent days.
Taking the issue, head-on, the government formed a committee comprising Minister of State for Home Affairs Harsh Sanghvi, Health Minister Rishikesh Bhai Patel, Finance Minister Kanubhai Desai, Road Works Minister Jagdish Panchal, and Panchayat Minister Brijesh Merja.
Apart from bearing political weightage, the ministers are socially relevant too in their respective regions and more importantly communities. They wasted no time in reaching out directly to the agitators and tried to address the demands upfront.
The committee of ministers interacted with the leaders of various agitating groups, giving them a patient hearing. They listened to their grievances, accepted their submissions, and allowed the arguments.
The conciliatory approach bore fruit and the committee succeeded in bringing a happy end to as many as six agitations which had been a pain in the neck for the government for some time now. To the delight of the ruling party Anganwadi workers, Asha workers, Karmachari Maha Sangh, ex-soldiers, ST Corporation employees, and forest guards have ended their agitations.
The government announced Rs.5000 and 2 sarees, Asha worker movement ended
Asha workers in Gujarat started an agitation with the state government demanding an increase in their salary. As many as 45,000 Asha workers are working in the state. A meeting with 4 representatives was held with the Committee of Ministers at Gandhinagar. The spokesperson of the state government, minister Jitubhai Vaghani, praised the work of the Asha workers and said that necessary changes would be made to accommodate their demand of Rs.5000 and two sarees.
Agitation of Government employees brought to end
Following the state-wide agitation of the Karmachari Maha Sangh, meetings were held 6-7 times with the ministers and other officials. The government announced the benefit of the seventh pay commission to the pre-2005 employees of the state. The benefit was stopped since 2016. It was also announced that Rs. 14 lakhs instead of 8lacs would be given to the kin of the employee who dies on duty.180 days of maternity leave will be implemented from the 1st. The announcements helped terminate the agitation of 9.50 lakh class 3 employees of the state.
The honorarium of Rs.10 thousand to the Anganwadi worker and Rs.5500 to Anganwadi Tedagar
Following the demands of the Anganwadi workers and after demonstrations and agitations by the Anganwadi workers at the district headquarters, the government took a decision and increased the salary in which the Anganwadi worker will be paid an honorarium of Rs.10,000 by an increase of Rs.2200. Similarly, Anganwadi Tedagars who were currently being paid Rs.3950 as honorary wages will be now paid Rs.5500 with an increase of Rs.1550. The government decision will affect 51,229 Anganwadi workers and 51,229 Anganwadi Tedagars.
The ex-servicemen ended their movement
In response to the 14-point demands of the ex-servicemen, the government has formed a high-level committee comprising of -most senior IAS officers. They are entrusted with the job of discussing the demands of the ex-servicemen and submitting a report to the government. The announcement of this committee made for ex-servicemen was announced by Gandhinagar Range IG Abhay Chudasama in a press conference on Wednesday. The ex-servicemen hailed the government’s announcement and concluded the agitation by eating sweetmeats and performing Garba.
The salary of the State transport employees increased
The government announced the implementation of giving the effect of increment/notional number in respect of in grade-pay of Driver-Conductor of Gujarat Government’s transport employees. The effect of the 17 percent dearness allowance, increase in various allowances, and OT pay scale for employees getting overtime as per the 7th Pay Commission was also part of the announcement. This announcement ended the strike of ST employees.
Both the important demands of the State Forest Guard Personnel Board were accepted
The government has accepted the demand of the forest guard workers who were on strike for three days in Gandhinagar. Their salary has been increased. The government helped end their strike after accepting the demands for holiday pay and washing allowance for duty performed on public holidays. Forest employees welcomed the government’s decision with flowers following the government’s announcement.
Also Read: Chandrika Solanki: Voice Of ASHA, Spirit Of Gujarat
