KVK’S EMPLOYEES ON PEN-DOWN STRIKE

KVK’S EMPLOYEES ON PEN-DOWN STRIKE

24-SEP-ENG 15

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA------------------------------Amidst widespread protests across the country, employees of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) in Arrah held a "pen-down strike and protest.” The protest, called by the Forum of KVKs and AICRP, lasted from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. During the protest, employees gathered at their respective centers, raised banners and posters, and raised slogans, expressing their anger against the discriminatory policies of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).

The employees' main demand is to implement the "One Nation, One KVK" policy, as recommended by the Paroda High-Level Committee, and to end the discrimination faced by ICAR against non-ICAR KVK employees. They allege that KVK employees working under ICAR receive special benefits in pay scales, promotions, and service conditions, while employees of non-ICAR institutions such as BCKV, BAU, GADVASU, AAU, etc., are denied equal opportunities.

The protesters stated that they were being paid unequal salaries despite performing the same work. Despite the suspension of the ICAR order of August 20, 2024, their allowances and PF/NPS contributions had not been restored. Furthermore, the CAS promotion policy is available only to ICAR KVK employees, while non-ICAR KVK employees are excluded.

The employees also alleged that they are denied retirement benefits such as pension, gratuity, and equal retirement age. In many states, salary disbursements are delayed by 6 to 9 months, causing financial hardship for employees.

The protesters also raised the issue of administrative conflict. They stated that when host institutions promote employees, ICAR withholds their salaries. The employees termed this a violation of Article 14 (Right to Equality) and Articles 38 and 39 (Social and Economic Justice) of the Indian Constitution.

This protest made it clear that the employees of Krishi Vigyan Kendras have been facing the problem of inequality and discrimination for a long time and now they are unitedly fighting for their rights.