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Mumbai: Noted anti-corruption and social activist Anjali Damania on Thursday submitted a Suo Moto Public Interest Litigation (PIL) before Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court over the state-wide strike of state government employees demanding reinstatement of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS). Damania in her submission has urged the court to intervene to mediate and resolve the issue as it is affecting the common people for no fault of theirs.
The noted anti-graft activist has in her letter to the Chief Justice of Bombay HC stated, “from March 14, nearly 18 lakhs employees of the Maharashtra government have gone on strike, seeking restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS). From sanitation workers to teachers, from paramedics at hospitals to other government staff, everyone has joined the strike for the implementation of the old pension scheme.”
Damania further argues, “This has sparked a cascading effect on the lives of the common people. Patients are suffering in hospitals, farmers are suffering as the Panchanama’s of the crop loss is not getting assessed, labour issues are stuck as employees at the Labour Commissioner’s office are on strike. I was pained to see news on various channels where they showed the plight of patients in the hospitals. “
“Hundreds of surgeries have been postponed. While I do sympathise with the concerns of the employees, they also need to understand that by bringing the entire system to halt, they are harassing the common citizens who have no role to play”, she added further.
“The Union of the employees, along with the State Government should be asked by the Honourable Court to immediately stop the strike and present the matter before the Hon’ble Court. Representations should be made by both sides and the Hon’ble court should order whatever is right, and this, I’m sure the Hon’ble court will do so in the interest of the people. Sanity should prevail as soon as possible”, argued Anjali Damania further.
