HT Correspondent
JORHAT, Dec 5: The employees of the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Jorhat, at Koliapani, Teok, in the district on Thursday took part in a nation-wide pen-down strike-cum-sit-in demonstration, demanding the implementation of the ‘One Nation, One KVK Policy’ as per the recommendations of the Dr RS Paroda High-Power Committee.
Dr Sanjay Borthakur, head of KVK, Jorhat, and the national general secretary of the ‘Forum of KVK and AICRP’, said that the protest was carried out under the banner of the ‘Forum of KVK and AICRP’ across the country by employees of KVKs, which are under the administrative control of various host organisations other than ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research). The protest demanded the implementation of the recommendations of the Paroda High-Power Committee.
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Borthakur stated that the protest was carried out in KVKs across 24 districts (including Jorhat), seeking the fulfilment of the long-standing grievances of the non-ICAR KVK employees. These employees have been alleging inequities in terms of pay scales, promotions, and other service conditions compared to KVKs under ICAR.
The protesters held placards and banners while raising slogans against ICAR’s “discriminatory policies”. Borthakur alleged that, despite performing similar roles, non-ICAR KVK employees were being paid lower salaries and denied opportunities for career advancement.
“Moreover, ICAR has been issuing various contradictory letters regarding non-ICAR KVKs, which is affecting the working environment and hindering the effective execution of research and extension activities,” he said.
Borthakur further stated that all KVKs, irrespective of the host organisation, are performing the same responsibilities and duties under the same scheme, which is 100 percent funded by the government of India.
“Nine percent of KVKs, that is, 66 in number, are under the administrative control of ICAR. Employees of these KVKs are receiving all the facilities provided to other ICAR employees from the same fund of the scheme, whereas employees of KVKs under other institutes are not receiving many legitimate benefits. Thus, there is no parity in the system,” the national general secretary of the Forum of KVK and AICRP observed.
It may be mentioned here that the non-ICAR KVK employees had earlier this year also staged protests seeking the fulfilment of their demands.
