Mysore/Mysuru: Gram Panchayat workers, under the banner of Karnataka State Gram Panchayat Employees Association (CITU Affiliated), staged a protest in city on Tuesday in support of their demands which included payment of pending salary and direct recruitment of Grade-2 posts.

They said that the Finance Department had given permission for the direct appointment of Grade-2 posts such as Bill Collectors, Secretary and Second Division Account Assistant. Accordingly, the Government had issued a recruitment notification on July 2, but it was withdrawn the next day. This had done injustice to those employees who are on the verge of retirement after serving for 20 to 25 years. The July 3 notification must be withdrawn immediately, they added.

They said Panchayat Development Officers (PDOs) have refused to pay the pending salary for the GP employees from the funds available under 15th Finance Commission despite directions from the State Government. This has not been set right despite bringing it to the notice of Executive Officers and Chief Executive Officer. They are not entitled for the Government benefits in case of untimely death or suffer from serious diseases. The PDOs are not ready to implement any of the orders passed by the State Government. Retired employees are sent home without benefits. All the staff of Gram Panchayats must be included at the time of bringing amendment to Cadre and Recruitment Rules.

Association State General Secretary G. Ramakrishna, District General Secretary Dinesh, District President K. Basavaraju, CITU District General Secretary Jayaram and others participated in the protest.