Mission Shakti Workers Protest in Bhubaneswar Over Unpaid Salaries
Article:
Bhubaneswar: Thousands of Mission Shakti workers staged a massive protest at Lower PMG in Bhubaneswar on Monday, demanding the release of their unpaid salaries and job security.
The protest, organized by the All Odisha Gram Panchayat Level Federation (GPLF) and other supporting organizations, highlighted the plight of workers who have not received their salaries for the past nine months.
Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida addressed the issue in the State Assembly, assuring that the government is committed to taking steps in the interest of the women workers. “We will take all the steps that are in the interest of the women,” Parida stated, urging that no one should mislead the workers.
Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik criticized the BJP government, alleging that it is attempting to halt the salaries of over 70 lakh Mission Shakti workers. Patnaik emphasized the importance of these workers, who play a crucial role in supporting women self-help groups across the state.
The protestors, led by Nirupama Nayak, president of GPLF, expressed their frustration over the delay in salary payments and the lack of job security. “We perform our duties with utmost honesty, but we are not receiving the basic salaries that are rightfully ours,” Nayak said1. The workers have been appealing to officials and ministers for months, but have only received assurances without any concrete action.
Aishwarya Biswal, president of Odisha BJP Mahila Morcha, responded by stating that the appointments made by the previous BJD government were for five years, which ended in April. “Our government is deliberating on how to regularize or extend the employment period of the community resource persons and other employees,” Biswal explained.
As the protest continues, the workers remain hopeful that their demands will be met and that the government will take swift action to address their grievances.
