the goan I network
VASCO
According to the protestors, they have been working as temporary linesmen for last over five years and the department failed to make them permanent and instead took new recruits as fixed employees.
The protestors alleged that it was at the behest of Naik that the department by by-passing their service took new recruits as permanent electricity linesmen.
Speaking to the media, a protestor, Arjun Naik of Tuem said they have been working for over five years with the electricity department as temporary linesmen and the department has failed to make them permanent linesmen of the department.
Srikant Gawde of Bicholim said most of the temporary linesmen are on the verge of retirement and after working for years, the department failed to make them fixed electricity linesmen.
Rajendra Halankar added that they have met with electrical accidents while on duty and as they are on temporary basis they cannot avail government and other benefits.
When asked why they went to the minister’s residence, the protestors said as Naik is the power minister they went to request him to make them fixed first and take the new recruits on temporary basis.
When the media brought the matter to the notice of Power Minister Naik, he said it is the department’s job to make the employees fixed and not him. “When the protestors reached my residence, I was not at home and I have called them on September 13 to discuss the matter,” said Naik.
