LAGATAR24 NETWORK
Dhanbad, April 24: Over 1607 multi purpose workers (MPW) deployed in all 24 districts of the state for the elimination of malaria today began their phase-wise agitation in support of their long pending six demands.
As per pre–announced agitation programme, all MPW reached their workplace across the state at the scheduled time in the morning and began the malaria elimination drive under protest wearing a black badge.
Jharkhand MPW Employees Association state president Pawan Kumar and general secretary Mangal Hembram said that they do not want to hamper the anti-malaria campaign. So they have decided to show the protest while working on duty for drawing the attention of the government.
Rolling on the state MPWs’ agitation programme Pawan Kumar and Mangal Hembram said employees would hold a two–day demonstration on April 26 and April 27 followed by a day-long fast on April 28 at the headquarters of the 24 districts.
If the health department does not take cognizance of the agitation, employees would hand over a memorandum to the deputy commissioner and a delegation will meet the Chief Minister on May 2.
“It looks apathetic approach of the government that despite giving prior notice of agitation and demanding long pending issues, no authority has called for talk so far,” said general secretary Mangal Hembram.
The main demands of agitating MPW are regularization of their job, compensation and job to dependents of MPWs who died during the Covid-19 campaign in the last two years (2020-21), immediate TA/ DA payment to MPWs who had been deployed on deputation in Shrawani Mela, Training Programme in other districts. The State Association has also demanded an immediate stop to the exploitation of MPWs engaged in Kala-Azar affected districts in the name of Video Conferencing (VC) and has asked to hold meetings in the office for effective implementation of the programme.
State malaria officer (SMO) Dr Virendra Kumar Singh despite repeated attempts could not be available for comment over the agitation of MPWs.
