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In a mess
(November 3)
It is hot surprising that the threat by the Government to terminate services of striking employees in essential services category has not budged the stand of the strikers. The Government had used such armed twisting methods in the past, but it came a cropper. This should be reminded to the present administration.
In the past the Government issued such similar threats, but it did not have the guts to carry out the threats. Hence, there is no reason that the latest threat will
bring the employees to their duties. Manipur has a track record of strikes of all kinds. And past experience shows that ultimately the Government will have to succumb to the pressure of the strikers, even if the Government will not be able to meet their demands immediately.
Hence intimidation and armed twisting methods are useless as far as Manipur is concerned. The strikers know it very well that the threat of action against the employees is hollow. Therefore, the best option
before the Government is to sit down with the strikers and thrash out a solution acceptable to them. It should be remembered that the employees went on strike to get their grievances addressed. Given the present precarious financial situation, the Government will never be able to clear their salaries with all the allowances intact on regular
basis. This fact is well known to the strikers as well.
The State is totally bankrupt and the Government cannot mint money. So the only way to solve the present strike is to bring the strikers and the Government across the table to find a solution jointly. The Government should not adopt a lopsided policy in either cutting the perks or abolition of jobs, On the other hand slashing of allowances and rent should be a temporary phase. It should not be made a permanent feature.
The then Radhabinod Government announced cut of allowances for six months. Now that the present administration has announced further cuts. This has enraged the employees. Secondly, abolition of jobs considered to be useless is okay, but the Government cannot run the state by cutting more and more allowances of employees or abolishing more jobs. It has to find ways and means to tackle the financial crisis. Till now the State is depending on the Center. Can we do so forever?
Running a State does
not mean payment of salaries of its employees only, it will have to look after transport facilities, health
care needs of the people, education of the growing children, electric and water supply to the people etc. In short it should be responsible for the general well-being and economic enhancement of the people living in the State. But
has our Government been performing its duty? The answer is a big no.
It has not been able to take up any welfare programs since years back. The imposition of President's
Rule makes little difference. If the responsibility of a Government ends with paying salaries of employees then we don't need any Government. Our intellectuals, experts and economists should not remain silent spectators. They should come out and have free discussions to find solutions to the crisis. Otherwise the State is doomed.
(Courtesy:
The Sangai Express)
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