Wakf employees hit streets; seek reconstitution of Board

Srinagar: Employees of Wakf Board on Monday hit streets as a mark of protest against the delay in “reconstituting” the board under Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act 2019.

Hundreds of Wakf employees under the banner of Employees Joint Action Committee (EJAC) according to news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), gathered at press enclave to register their protest against the ‘government failing to reconstitute the board.’

The employees carrying placards in their hands which read “reconstitute Wakf Board, regularize our service and release 7th pay commission arrears” appealed the Lieutenant Governor to address the issues on the priority that they confront since the abrogation of Article 370.

They also demanded that their 7th pay commission arrears to be released and service of Wakf employees regularised.

“Wakf Board Employees Association is a constituent of EJAC, an umbrella body of 50 employees unions in Jammu and Kashmir. Our entire leadership supports their demands. We appeal Lieutenant Governor to reconstitute the board under J&K Reorganization Act, 2019,” an EJAC leader told reporters.

He said the government could not reconstitute the Wakf Board after the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019. He also said all developmental works of the Wakf Board lie pending due to delay in the reconstitution of the board.

“Wakf employees face many problems, their 7th pay commission arrears are also pending. We also demand that the service of these employees be regularised and all other issues are addressed at the earliest,” he said. —(KNO)