The Jammu and Kashmir high court today directed the state government to ensure that essential services are not disrupted in the wake of the strike by its 4.5 lakh employees.
Issuing a notice to the government on a PIL seeking a direction on strict implementation of essential services maintenance Act (ESMA), the high court asked it to explain the steps taken to mitigate the sufferings of common people due to the strike which began on April 3.
A division bench comprising justice Mohammad Yaqoob Mir and justice Hasnain Masoodi issued notices to the state through
the chief secretary and directed it "to ensure uninterrupted supply of essentials and essential services".
About 4.50 lakh government and PSU employees are on strike to press their demand for payment of arrears of 6th pay commission and raising of retirement age from 58 years to 60 years.
Two lawyers of the high court, Raja Riyaz A Khan and Bashir Ahmad Dar, yesterday filed the PIL claiming that people were facing hardships due to the strike.
The petition claimed that the invoking of ESMA was merely an "eyewash" and sought its strict implementation.
The matter has been listed for further hearing on April 12.
