On February 28, 2011 many workers protested under the banner of the Uttarakhand Lok Panchayat. They were protesting the stalling of welfare schemes in their state; they were demanding among other things – an end to the contract system in places of employment, an assurance that each citizen of the state is given a proper salary, that precautions are taken during a natural disaster, to ensure aid and bring the situation under control at a rapid pace during such a calamity.
On February 28, 2011 many workers protested under the banner of the Uttarakhand Lok Panchayat. They were protesting the stalling of welfare schemes in their state; they were demanding among other things – an end to the contract system in places of employment, an assurance that each citizen of the state is given a proper salary, that precautions are taken during a natural disaster, to ensure aid and bring the situation under control at a rapid pace during such a calamity.
Speakers at the protest said that the quality of living of the people of Uttarakhand had not improved or even seen little progress since the time of the carving out of the state. People face the contract system in almost all institutions whether government or non-government. The salary given by these contractors is so minimal that it is impossible to run a family on such a meagre amount.
They pointed out that no matter what political party is in power at the centre or state, the government is constantly cutting costs in important welfare schemes for the people. At the centre the government is stuck in scams of millions of rupees because of corruption. While on the one hand the youth from Uttarakhand are protecting the country’s borders, on the other hand, the children of the state do not have proper schools or hospitals where they can be treated.
They said that they are not at all satisfied with the current political processes. They declared, “we are trying to bring together the people and form a power which would reform the situation and lead to a road of progress.”