Sakal Janula Samme: Employees-Govt Talks Failed

On day 30 today - 12 October 2011, of the ongoing Sakala Janula Samme, the talks between Telangana Employees JAC leaders and the government took place in the Secretariat. Sources from employees associations inform that the talks have failed.

Leaders of the Telangana employees Joint Action Committee (JAC) participated in the talks with a cabinet sub-committee but only to put forward their demands. These included withdrawal of the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA), scrapping of a government order (GO 177) on "no work no pay" rule and withdrawal of cases booked against striking employees. The JAC has also sought a probe into the police assault on its leader Swami Goud.

JAC leader Swami Goud said there could be no meaningful talks without the government taking steps to create a congenial atmosphere. "The government, on the one hand, is inviting us for talks and, on the other, booking serious cases against us," he said.