CoSAAP threatens stir against government

FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT

Itagar, Feb 13: The Confederation of Service Association of Aruchal Pradesh (CoSAAP) has threatened to initiate a non-cooperation agitation in the form of indefinite pen and tool down from March 20 next, if the state government fails to fulfill its pending demands.

The demand of the federation includes enhancement of the retirement age of state government employees from 58 to 60 years.

CoSAAP president Pate Marik informed that the decision to submit a fresh memorandum to state government was taken after the General Body Council (GBC) meeting involving all district and all department wise federation units of CoSAAP which was held here on February 11 last. Stating that the state cabinet in its meetings held on December 8 last year, January 4 and February 7 last have not at all discussed the pending issues of CoSAAP which in fact was already recommended by the High Power Committee duly constituted by the government itself, the confederation further appealed Chief Minister Pema Khandu to announce the employees pending demands on the upcoming Statehood Day celebrations.

“Regarding No Objection Certificates (NOC), the same should be given by the vigilance team of the department concerned. They should themselves identify whether the employees have encroached government land or not instead of a employee having to go to the department concerned to get the same during his or her retirement,” said Marik.  

Also reacting to the statement issued by All Aruchal Pradesh Students’ Union’s (AAPSU) wherein it had state that statement that the union will oppose any move of the government for enhancing the retirement age, CoSAAP alleged that that it may be because of that particular statement, the government was reluctant to fulfill the long pending demands of its employees.

It is pertinent to mention here that the AAPSU on February 5 last while pointing out the growing numbers of unemployed educated youths and the failure of successive governments’ to provide them jobs had said that “the decision to enhance retirement age would not only stifle the little prospect they (unemployed) get but also play havoc to their youthful dreams.”