SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, July 4: Multi-Purpose Workers (MPWs) across Jharkhand began a phase-wise agitation from Friday to press for the regularization of their jobs and the fulfillment of long-pending demands.
The MPWs, who play a vital role in providing healthcare services during the month-long Deoghar-Basukinath Shrawani Mela, have also announced a boycott of this year’s Mela duties, which are scheduled from July 11 to August 9.
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MPW state president Pawan Kumar and general secretary Mangal Hembram jointly informed that all members launched the protest today by wearing black badges and demonstrating at their respective workplaces.
According to the announced protest schedule, a massive demonstration will be held on July 7, followed by a mass hunger strike on July 9. “We will also gherao the office of the Additional Chief Secretary (Health) on July 11 to demand action on our issues,” said Pawan Kumar.
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The key demands of the association include the release of pending TA/DA payments for Shrawani Mela duty from 2016 to 2024 and immediate clearance of job-related files that have been delayed due to objections raised by the finance department.
