Other States - Orissa   

Jail warders on the warpath

BERHAMPUR: Jaiil warders of the State sat on hunger strike along with their families in front of the jails on Monday protesting against alleged government apathy towards meeting their long-standing demands.

Around 1,500 jail warders under the banner of the All Orissa Jail Employees Association (AOJEA) took part in this agitation. But they did not let their agitation hamper the security of the jails. They continued to do their duty as per their scheduled rotation. Only the warders not on duty took part in the agitation, while others continued with their scheduled duty. Their agitation was for seven demands.

Their main demand was parity in the pay scale of jail warders with that of police constables in the State. At present the basic pay of jail warders is Rs. 400 less than the pay scale of police constables although both of them are of same rank. The warders allege that the State Government is showing step-motherly attitude towards them.

They wanted the State Government to introduce the post of sub-assistant jailer to provide promotion opportunity to warders. At present the number of posts of jail warders in the State is around 1,400 who manage more than 14,000 prisoners housed in jails.

This demand for parity of pay scale with the police constables has been made for last 25 years. In 1979 the Orissa Jails Reform Committee was constituted under the chairmanship of Justice Harihar Mohapatra. This committee had recommended parity in the pay scale of constables and jail warders in the State. The committee had also pointed out that the disparity of pay scale of constables and warders was bringing about discontentment among warders.

The members of the Berhampur circle unit of the All Orissa Jail Employees Association (AOJEA) along with their wives and children sat on hunger strike in front of the Berhampur circle jail. President of the Berhampur circle AOJEA Kalu Charan Swain said their association had deferred agitation for these demands due to promises from the authorities and the Government in the past.

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