Staff REPORTER
Itanagar, Apr 13: Members of the All Arunachal Pradesh Panchayati Raj Contractual Drivers & MTS Union staged a peaceful dharna in Itanagar on Monday, demanding regularisation of their services or enhancement of salaries.
The protest, held at the IG Park tennis court, saw participation from contractual drivers and multi-tasking staff (MTS) from across the State. Demonstrators raised concerns over job insecurity and wage disparities compared to regular employees.
As per the union’s charter of demands, the protesters called for the creation of regular posts in the Panchayati Raj Department, including 27 driver posts and 240 MTS positions. They further stated that if regularisation is not feasible, the government should at least enhance their salaries.
Carrying banners and placards, the protesters urged the government to address their grievances at the earliest. The union maintained that despite performing similar duties, contractual workers continue to receive lower pay and fewer benefits.
“After serving as contingency workers for about 17 years, we have the right to demand regularisation. So far, no official response has been received from the government. If our demands are not met, we will resort to a peaceful hunger strike in the near future,” the union stated, reiterating its demand for “equal pay for equal work.”