Employees of the local branch of the Uttarakhand Ministerial Collectorate Employees’ Association staged a black-armband protest at the tehsil in Kotdwar, seeking action on their 7-point charter of demands. The association urged the state government to restructure the collectorate framework and resolve its pending demands quickly.

The protest marks the first phase of the organisation’s planned agitation. Employees will wear black ribbons from 12 to 14 October to register their opposition and press for action on the demands.

Planned escalation on 17 October

The association has announced a sit-in and work boycott at the collectorate headquarters on 17 October. A memorandum addressed to the Chief Minister will also be sent through the District Magistrate during the next phase of the protest.

Association office-bearers said the organisation had been raising these issues for a long time, but claimed that no concrete action had been taken so far. The current programme is intended to draw attention to the unresolved demands.

The employees want the collectorate framework to be reorganised and granted the status of a special office or department. They have also sought an increase in the educational qualification for junior assistant appointments from intermediate to graduation.

Another demand is to raise the junior assistant grade pay from 2000 to 2800. These demands form part of the association’s broader 7-point charter, although the available report does not list every demand.

The protest involved Chief Administrative Officer Umesh Chandra Panthari, Senior Administrative Officer Manju Sharma, Nagendra Kothiyal, Anita Bhatt, Aditya Singh, Ashok Singh Chauhan, Bhagwati Prasad Tiwari and Sanjay Tomar, along with other employees.

For residents and visitors dealing with collectorate-related offices, the proposed work boycott could affect services on 17 October. The report does not specify which services may be affected or whether the administration has issued a response.

Conclusion

Kotdwar’s ministerial collectorate employees have begun a phased protest over 7 demands, with a sit-in, work boycott and memorandum to the Chief Minister planned for 17 October.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Why did the ministerial employees protest in Kotdwar?

They protested in support of their 7-point charter of demands and sought early action on pending issues.

Q. What was the first phase of the agitation?

Employees are wearing black ribbons from 12 to 14 October as a mark of protest.

Q. What is planned for 17 October?

The association has announced a sit-in and work boycott at the collectorate headquarters.

Q. What will the memorandum seek?

The memorandum will present the association’s demands to the Chief Minister through the District Magistrate.

Q. What change has been sought for junior assistant appointments?

The association wants the educational qualification to rise from intermediate to graduation.

Q. What grade pay increase has been demanded?

The association has demanded that the junior assistant grade pay rise from 2000 to 2800.