PANJIM: Ten months after a written assurance to recruit them in the government services, around 227 children of freedom fighters, many who have even crossed 45 years, are yet to be absorbed. The children have now threatened to intensify their protest, at a larger scale from December 1, if their demand is not fulfilled by November end.
The Children, under the banner ‘Children of Freedom Fighters Association’, had in January; this year resorted to fast unto death protest demanding government jobs. The protest was called off after State BJP President Sadanand Shet Tanavade gave a written assurance signed by then Secretary Home.
On Wednesday, the children once again held a day-long protest at Azad Maidan reminding government of their ‘written assurance’ and threatening to intensify the protest, with support from freedom fighters and their children from Maharashtra.
Those protesting included a son and three daughters of freedom fighter Nagesh Chari, who succumbed to COVID-19, earlier this year. Interestingly, Chari was part of the fast-unto-death protest held in January.
Speaking to media persons, Association President Shivaji Shet said that since January till date only 23 children got appointment letters while 227 are still waiting for the opportunity. He said that maximum of the children have crossed 45 age, while some are even in their early 50’s.
“The government has granted age relaxation upto 55 years for the children of freedom fighters,” he said.
Shet said that if government has targeted to fill 10,000 vacancies by December, then 227 should be reserved for children of freedom fighters. “We are giving time to government till November end; if our demands are not met, we will resort to mega protest from December 1, which will continue till we get into government service,” Shet said.
He charged that the government is not at all serious on the issue and the written assurance given, last time, was mere an eye-wash.
The government had also assured earlier that four per cent jobs will be reserved for children of freedom fighters in every department when the government starts the process of filling vacant posts.
