THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The functioning of Secretariat was partially affected on Thursday following a strike called by Opposition staff associations against the government decision to go ahead with formation of Kerala Administrative Service (KAS) cadre. The joint action council which is spearheading the strike claimed that only 21.3 per cent staff reported for duty on Thursday. Many employees owing allegiance to the unions affiliated to the ruling party also stayed away from work. The government had invoked dies non to counter the employees on strike.
The action council said the agitation was the reflection of widespread anger prevailing among the Secretariat staff over the government move to scuttle their promotion chances. The employees took out a march from YMCA to the summer gate of the Secretariat and held a demonstration. The action council has decided launch a pen down strike from Friday against KAS. Action council convener J. Bency urged the government to reconsider its decision. The ruling front led staff association said the action council agitation failed to get the support of the staff. Less than 10 per cent employees stayed away from work.
Meanwhile, pro CPM Kerala Secretariat Employees Association general secretary M.S. Bijukuttan said the action council strike was uncalled for since the government had made it clear that it would hold further discussions to allay the fears of employees. There are certain issues that are yet to be resolved and these would be taken up during the talks to be held with the government representatives in the coming days, he added. Cabinet on Wednesday approved the draft special rules of KAS. The approved draft special rules would be discussed with the representatives of staff association to seek their opinion.
