PANJIM: The Chief Minister Pramod Sawant will hold meeting with the Balrath employees on Wednesday, who are currently on indefinite strike to meet their pending demands, to resolve their salary issue.
The All Goa United Balrath Employees are on indefinite strike since Monday leading to severe hardships to school students. At present the Government is giving grants to 316 aided institutions in Goa with 409 Balrath buses.
With effect from June this year, the Government has increased the salaries of drivers and attendants from Rs 11,000 to Rs 12,000 & Rs 5,500 to Rs 6,000 respectively for 11 months, with 5 per cent annual increase.
Speaking to media persons, employees refused to accept the new salaries, demanding the amount should not be less than Rs 20,000.
The Balrath employees said that the decision on whether to call off the strike will be taken after Wednesday’s meeting.
Education Director Shailesh Zingade visited the protesting employees and informed them about the meeting scheduled with the Chief Minister on Wednesday to work out an amicable solution regarding salaries.
The issue was also raised in the State Assembly, wherein the Chief Minister assured the House of fulfilling all demands of the Balrath employees.
“I have already asked the Director of Education to meet the striking employees. I assure you that the government will revise the salary to the satisfaction of the striking employees after discussing the matter with the All Goa United Balrath Employees Union leader and other representatives,” Sawant said.
The Chief Minister further assured to pay their salaries directly through bank in their personal account, leaving no scope for corruption without causing any delay.
