Hyderabad, October 12: The general strike in the Telangana region will continue as the talks between the State Government and the employees’ unions have failed. However, softening their stand on the Telangana issue, the employees’ unions have agreed to withdraw the strike provided the government accept their new demands.
The Telangana Employees Joint Action Committee, which had repeatedly claimed earlier that it will not withdraw the strike until the formation of Telangana State, on Wednesday softened its stand and insisted that the State Government ‘pressurise the centre for formation of Telangana State’. Similarly, the JAC also demanded that the State Government withdraw the cases booked against the striking employees, lift ESMA and cancel the GO 177 that deals with ‘No Work No Pay’ Rule. The JAC also demanded action against West Zone DCP Stephen Ravindra for his alleged involvement in attack on JAC chairman Swamy Goud.
In response to the invitation sent by the government, the representatives of the employees’ unions led by JAC chairman Swamy Goud came to the State Secretariat to hold deliberations on the withdrawal of Sakala Janula Samme, the general strike which entered 30th day on Wednesday. However, neither the Cabinet Sub-Committee nor the JAC had any clarity on agenda for discussion.
Soon after reaching the Secretariat the JAC leaders handed over the list of demands and without holding discussions they walked out. Later, talking to media persons Swamy Goud said that the employees were always ready for talks, but it was only after one month of strike that the government had invited them. He said that at one side the government was inviting the union leaders for talks and on the other side, they are being booked under various cases. He said now the ball was in government’s court as the JAC has handed over the list of demands to the Cabinet Sub-Committee.
Meanwhile, Finance Minister Anam Ramnarayana Reddy told media persons that the cabinet sub-committee would convey the JAC’s demands to Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy. He requested the JAC to withdraw the general strike as the Centre has already begun the process of consultation on Telangana. He said it was wrong to penalise the general public in Telangana and other regions by continuing with the strike when the final decision on Telangana would be taken by the Centre.
Deputy Chief Minister Damodar Rajanarasimha, Revenue Minister N Raghuveera Reddy and Road & Buildings Minister Dharmana Prasada Rao were also present. (INN)