The state government had already implemented the new pay package from January this year despite severe financial crunch and agreed to pay arrears for six months in three instalments after entering into an agreement with the employees under the banner of Confederation of Service Association of Arunachal Pradesh (CoSAAP).
However, in a sudden move, most of the district units of the confederation continued to launch their phase of agitation demanding complete implementation of the pay package with arrears from January 2006 to December 2008.
The state Cabinet, on February 11, decided to invoke Essential Service Maintenance Act (ESMA) with all penal provisions, including termination of service.
However, even invoking ESMA could not prevent the disgruntled striking employees, who continued their ongoing agitation, compelling the state government to take severe action in the form of terminating three employees from West Siang district and two from Papum Pare district who were spearheading the movement against the government and prohibiting others to attend their offices.
“The termination order of these five employees would be notified tomorrow,” Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu told a press conference here this evening.
He added that termination orders for others would also be issued after getting the list from the respective deputy commissioners.
Refuting allegations from the employees that the state government was not in a mood to implement the new pay package in toto despite receiving fund from the Centre in this regard, Khandu clarified that no such fund was received by the state and he asked the employees to seek legal support to prove the matter.
“The CoSAAP should thank the government for implementing the Sixth Pay Commission recommendations despite nil revenue resources of the state, but they were sitting in agitation at the fag end of the current fiscal instead of supporting the government in its development endeavour,” Khandu added.