Haryana cooperative staff set Oct 15 deadline for demands

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Union seeks restoration of paddy procurement commission, higher margins and regularisation of contractual employees

Panchkula: Employees of cooperative societies in Haryana on Monday called off their protest at the headquarters in Panchkula after talks with HAFED officials, giving the authorities until October 15 to address their demands.

The Haryana Cooperative Marketing Society Employees’ Union warned of a statewide agitation if its demands were not addressed by the deadline.

The protest was held under the leadership of Hanuman Godara, the union’s state general secretary. The union had mobilised employees and people associated with cooperative societies across Haryana for the demonstration.

Union seeks restoration of paddy commission

The union has demanded the withdrawal of a cut in the commission paid to cooperative societies for paddy procurement and an increase in the commission for wheat procurement. It has also sought the release of subsidy payments to farmers for wheat seeds.

Other demands include higher transportation charges for anganwadi goods and an increase in the margin paid for fertiliser distribution.

The union has also called for the regularisation of employees who have been working on the DC rates for several years.

Service rules, pay revision among demands

The employees have sought amendments to service rules to create the post of Data Entry Operator (DEO). They have also demanded that pay revision benefits under a letter effective from January 1, 2024, be extended to all eligible employees.

Union representatives said the demands concerned the interests of cooperative societies, employees and farmers. Ahead of the protest, the union had appealed to societies across the state to mobilise support, asking each society to send at least two vehicles to Panchkula.

Union warns of statewide agitation

According to the union, discussions with HAFED officials led to the protest being called off, with a further hearing on the demands expected by October 15.

Godara said the union would consider a larger statewide agitation if the demands remained unresolved after the deadline. The union held the government responsible for any escalation.

The next course of action will depend on the outcome of the proposed discussions and the response of the authorities.