Imphal: The agitation by government employees over pending service-related demands intensified across Manipur on Monday, with protests and work disruptions reported in several districts.
The movement, spearheaded by the All Manipur Government Employees’ Organisation (AMGEO) and the Joint Administrative Council (JAC), centres on demands including the enhancement of Dearness Allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR), along with other long-pending issues.
Employees of the Minor Irrigation Department at Lamphelpat in Imphal West suspended work and staged demonstrations under the JAC banner. Members of the All Manipur Government Drivers and Technicians Association also joined the protest.
Similar demonstrations were held at the Deputy Commissioner’s Complex in Bishnupur, where employees from various government departments gathered in support of the ongoing agitation.
Addressing the protesters, JAC president R.K. Basumani said the organisation would intensify its movement if the state government continued to delay action on its demands.
He said the JAC had submitted a 10-point charter of demands to the government. While a few issues have reportedly been addressed, several major demands remain unresolved despite discussions with the Chief Minister and the Chief Secretary.
Basumani pointed out that Manipur government employees currently receive 18 per cent DA/DR, compared to nearly 60 per cent paid to Central government employees. He demanded the immediate release of the pending DA and DR from January 1, in line with the implementation process associated with the 8th Pay Commission’s Terms of Reference. He also opposed reports that the government was considering only a nominal increase in the allowance.
Raising another key issue, Basumani said the state government has accumulated an estimated Rs. 550 crore liability towards retirement benefits. He suggested increasing the retirement age of government employees from 60 to 62 years as a measure to reduce the immediate financial burden on the exchequer.
He further claimed that around 5,000 sanctioned posts remain vacant across government departments, citing a 2024 government report. According to him, the vacancies have affected the delivery of public services, and he urged the government to fill the positions through regular recruitment.
Meanwhile, the Manipur Tribal Development Corporation Limited Employees’ Association (MTDCLEA) continued its pen-down strike, which began on July 9, by holding a separate protest at Lamphel.
The association demanded the appointment of a new Chairman for the Manipur Tribal Development Corporation, continuation of government grant-in-aid, and a halt to the establishment of new subsidiary offices.
Speaking to reporters, MTDCLEA general secretary M. Jagatchadra said the association had submitted a memorandum outlining its demands to the Governor, Chief Minister and Chief Secretary.
He alleged that the Corporation’s Chairman rarely attends office, affecting the institution’s day-to-day functioning, and urged the government to appoint a new Chairman to ensure effective administration.