'Betrayal Day' Observed by Striking University Employees

Patna: July 18, 2008

Striking university and college employees under the banner of Bihar State College and University Employees Association in Patna on Friday observed what they called the 'Betrayal Day' at the Income Tax Roundabout to press for their 11-point demands that has kept them from going to work for well over three weeks now.

Union leader Ganga Prasad Jha rather proudly proclaimed that their strike had caused complete disruption of functioning at all 9 universities in Bihar and pledged to remain on strike until the government buckled to their demands including more pay and more allowance under various categories.

"The government had agreed to our demands last year but went back on its words, thus the Betrayal Day. This time we will not be duped by false promises and would stay off work until all of our demands are met in totality and the government in fact issues a public proclamation to that effect," Jha said.

Meanwhile, the Human Resources Department Joint Secretary Anjani Kumar Singh, Patna University Vice Chancellor Shyam Lal, and Registrar Vibhas Kumar Yadav appeared before Justice V. N. Sinha at Patna High Court to explain why the strike was not already brought to an end despite deteriorating academic condition at all universities in Bihar.

Singh assured the court that the government had agreed to most of their demands and attempts were on to come to an amicable solution for all parties involved.

"The strike would be brought to an end within 21 days," the HRD secretary said.