Morung Express News
Dimapur | August 30
Following the failure of the state government’s response over non-payment of salaries to 66 regularised Operation & Maintenance Staff (OMS) under the Department of Power, the All Nagaland Electricity Field Workers Association (ANEFWA) began its phase-I of agitation across the State beginning from August 30.
During the first day of its protest, ANEFWA President Vethinu Kezo stated that workers stationed across several zones of the state peacefully staged their resentment against the state government’s inaction.
“The phase-I of the agitation will last for three-days wherein workers have been instructed to wear black arm-bands while on duty,” Kezo said.
This would be followed by phase-II during which time all its members would go on mass-casual leave if there was no response from the government.
Earlier, the Association said it had given a 15-day ultimatum to the state government on August 14 to release the pending salaries of 66 OMS who were regularized on January 17, 2023 and were performing their bona fide duties.
“However since January, the workers have not received their salaries till date,” Kezo mentioned. In addition, it was also revealed that an unpaid field worker in Wokha died while out on duty this year.
Matter resolved, says power dept official
Meanwhile, an official from the Power department claimed that the demand over non-payment of the salaries and other related issues of the workers had been resolved and an order will soon be put forward stating as such. The official said the government has agreed to release the pending salaries considering the plight of the workers.
