Secretariat employees erupt in protest
Post-retirement service extension
BY OUR STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI, Dec 1: The Assam Assembly Secretariat on Tuesday witnessed chaos over post retirement service extension of some employees ranging from fourth grade to the rank of additiol secretary. Disgruntlement over the issue was already brewing but on Tuesday the Secretariat witnessed a full-scale outburst.
It may be mentioned that two employees of the assembly secretariat - Chandan Baruah, Under Secretary and Kabin Mohan Talukdar, Deputy Secretary, attained retirement age on Nov 30. However, in a mysterious way, with the approval of the Speaker of the Assam Assembly, their service was extended by one year. When Secretariat employees came to know about it on Tuesday morning, they erupted in dissent. The employees staged a protest in front of the chamber of the Principal Secretary.
The employees also threatened to abstain from work unless and until the officers in question are not asked to retire as per the rules. The protestors also criticized the role of the Speaker in the entire issue.
Later, following protests in front of his chamber, Speaker Prab Kumar Gogoi met a delegation of the employees and after discussion with them, reduced Chandan Baruah’s extension to three months from one year and Kabin Mohan Talukdar’s extension by six months.
The protesting employees also gheraoed Joint Secretary Gajen Baruah alleging that he had misled the Speaker.
The recent chaos in the Assembly Secretariat which is the seat of law making, a week ahead of winter session, has created misgivings among concerned citizens.
However, this is not the only such incident in the Assembly Secretariat. It may be recalled that Gauranga Prasad Das, who retired recently as Principal Secretary, was on extension for one and a half years post retirement. Another officer is Additiol Secretary Satan Deka whose term was extended by two years post retirement. He is still in service.
The other such officials and employees include - Deputy Marshall Bipin Das, Joint Secretary ren Boro, driver Subhash Saha and fourth grade employee Dharmeswar Roy who are still working on extension post retirement.