The Hindu : Kerala News : AGs’ office stir called off

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Wednesday, Dec 12, 2007
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Kerala

AGs’ office stir called off

Special Correspondent

Talks held between association leaders and senior official

— Photo: S. Gopakumar

Protest over: Members of the Audit and Accounts Association and organisations of the action council formed in support of their agitation taking out a march in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Audit and Accounts Association has called off its 37-day indefinite fast in front of the Accountant-Generals’ office demanding freedom for organisational activities and in protest against the alleged victimisation of employees by the Accountant-General.

The strike was called off following talks the association leaders had with the Senior Deputy Accountant-General (Administration), who was deputed by the Accountant-General.

Action council conveners K.N. Vijayakumar and M. Krishnan and chairman V.Sivankutty, MLA, said in a statement here on Tuesday that conciliatory talks were held as the Accountant-General had gone back from his earlier stance that he would not hold talks before calling off the strike. The leaders said that they got a written assurance that the demands of the association would be favourably considered by the authorities concerned. Punitive action, including dismissal, would not be initiated against the employees.

The leaders who participated in the talks offered to complete the work on processing the documents for the one rank, one pension scheme in a time-bound manner. Steps would be taken to ensure a peaceful milieu on the office premises.

The authorities said the Senior Deputy Accountant-General (Administration) informed the association on Monday that the issues raised by it could be considered once the stir was called off.

The Deputy Accountant-General (Audit) reiterated that stand on Tuesday. He said the disciplinary proceedings were not negotiable, as they were quasi-judicial in nature.

Besides, any appeal or submission with regard to them had to come from the employee concerned.

He made it clear that no prior assurance could be given in respect of disciplinary cases and that they would be disposed of taking into consideration the merits.

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