Gurbaxpuri

Tarn Taran, December 9

Tension prevailed in the meeting called by Deputy Commissioner Kulwant Singh with the agitating ASHA workers here on Thursday to discuss their demands when leaders of the ASHA workers opposed the alleged objectionable language used by the DC.

Hundreds of ASHA workers and facilitators under the banner of the district unit of the All India ASHA Workers and Facilitators’ Union organized a dharna on National Highway No.54 in front of the District Administrative Complex (DAC) here. Long queues were seen of vehicles on both sides of the national highway as the dharna lasted for hours and the administration failed to pacify the agitating workers.

The leaders of the union alleged Deputy Commissioner Kulwant Singh allegedly used objectionable language against them. The agitating workers lifted the dharna from the national highway and sat in front of both the gates of the DAC blocking the way of all the officials and staff of various departments.

Manjinder Kaur, district president, and Seema Sohal, state leader of the organization, said the leaders of the organization on the call of the administration had gone to the DC office to discuss their demands, but he allegedly used filthy language against workers.

The leaders said their main demands included honorarium on the Haryana pattern, increase in their honorarium as per the recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission, two uniforms (one each for winter and summer season), Rs 10 lakh insurance free by the state government, bike for each worker, etc.

ADC Jagwinderjit Singh Grewal went up to the dharna site and expressed sorry on behalf of the DC and said in case their feelings were hurt, he was sorry for it. Seema Sohal said the union would discuss the issue in its meeting to be held on Friday and the next course action.

The ADC confirmed that he pacified the protesting ASHA workers and felt sorry on behalf of DC Kulwant Singh.