AS THE strike of Maharashtra Government employees seeking restoration of the Old Pension Scheme entered the third day on Thursday, it emerged that the State Government has appointed private agencies to fill up vacancies on a contractual basis. The umbrella body of the unions coordinating the strike blamed the Government’s “stubborn attitude” for the continuance of their agitation.

An application seeking end to the strike was filed in the High Court, and it could be heard on Friday. Government hospitals were the worst affected by the strike which also took a toll on the functioning of the administration. As per a Government Resolution (GR) issued by the Industries, Energy and Labour department on March 14, the day the strike began, nine private agencies have been appointed to hire “highly skilled, skilled, semi-skilled and non-skilled” personnel on contract.

Plea filed in HC against Mah State Govt employees’ strike: AN APPLICATION has been filed in the Bombay High Court seeking immediate withdrawal of the ongoing strike of the Maharashtra State Government employees, saying it has hit patients and students. It could come up for hearing on Friday. The State Government employees declared an indefinite strike from March 14, seeking restoration of the Old Pension Scheme that was scrapped in 2005.

The application, filed by advocate Gunratan Sadavarte, said the strike has affected health services at Government-run hospitals and education in schools and colleges. Patients in Government hospitals are suffering due to the agitation, it said. Sadavarte claimed that the strike overlapped with the Class 10 and 12 board examinations.