In a step that would affect around 6,800 workers, Panchayati Raj Secretary DK Singh wrote to all Collectors asking them to initiate process of disengaging the agitating GRSs
Bhubaneswar: The government has initiated steps to disengage about 6,800 gram rozgar sevaks (GRSs) who are on an indefinite strike before the Assembly here demanding regularisation of their jobs.
Sundargarh Collector Wednesday dismissed 223 GRSs as they were absent from duty due to the cease-work stir.
The GRSs, working in all panchayats across the state under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), are on strike stalling the administration from November 15.
Panchayati Raj Secretary DK Singh recently wrote to all the Collectors asking them to initiate the process to disengage the GRSs, who are on an indefinite strike as MGNREGS projects have suffered a lot and labourers are not getting wages.
The Collectors were also asked to appoint new candidates in the posts falling vacant after the disengagement.
“We have instructed Collectors to issue show-cause notices to GRSs. If they fail to reply and resume duty before the deadline they will be disengaged and new recruitments will be made,” Panchayati Raj Special Project Director PC Chaudhary, who is looking after MGNREGS, told Orissa POST.
Asked about the demands of the GRSs, Chaudhary said as per existing provisions they cannot be regularised.
The Sevaks, who have been appointed on contract to monitor MGNREGS projects, said they also serve as multipurpose assistants in panchayats.
“We are now the key elements in all panchayats. Apart from monitoring MGNREGS projects, we are also helping in the functioning of PDS, distribution of allowances to the aged, widows and the physically challenged and the conduct of Palli Sabhas. During natural calamities we help the administration in distributing relief but we lead a miserable life,” said GRS Association President Prabhat Kumar Tiwari.
The GRSs are executing almost all development projects at the panchayat-level for 13 years but their salary is Rs 7,000 per month, which is less than that of labourers, Tiwari added.
Describing the government’s stand as ‘arbitrary’, the GRS Association head threatened to intensify the stir through a mass hunger strike.
“The government called us for a meeting only once and we were asked to withdraw the strike. The meeting ended without any decision. We oppose this move of the government and will stage a hunger stir even if the government sacks us,” he said.