People's Democracy

AROUND 36,000 employees work in nearly 6000 grama panchayats of Karnataka. Although they are the backbone of panchayat system at lowest level, they are forced to live in a pathetic condition as they are very meagrely paid by the government.

Successive governments in the state have neglected the demands of these employees, most of whom are organised under CITU affiliated Karnataka Gram Panchayat Naukarara Sangha.

The union has been fighting for the cause of these neglected section of working people. The present Congress(I) governemnt has not heded to the demands of panchayat employees since one and half year and would not even give audience to the leaders of the union.

In this background the union held a rally and dharna on June 11 and 12, at Bangalore, demanding implementation of their charter of demands.

Thousands of employees hailing from 22 out of 27 districts arrived in capital city Bangalore and participated in their struggle of survival.

The charter of demands included hike in salary, evolving service rules, group gratuity scheme, separate grant for payment of salaries, minimum pension etc.

On June 2, rallyists who were proceeding towards residence of panchayat raj minister were stopped by the police. Then the workers held the dharna near R C College. A senior IAS officer came to the dharna venue and invited the leaders for talks. On 11^th itself first round talks were held and the government assured detail discussion in the month of July. On this assurance the dharna was withdrawn on June 12.

The dharna was addressed by office bearers of the union , CITU, AIKS and AIAWU state leaders. The employees took a pledge to continue the struggle, if their demands were neglected by the government.