Temporary workers of Agri Dept take out rally in Kolkata, demand regularization

There are currently two separate protests taking place in West Bengal, India. .The first is a movement by government employees and retirees demanding the settlement of their due Dearness Allowance (DA), which has led to increasing agitation The second protest involves temporary workers in the agriculture department who are demanding permanent positions and a guaranteed 60 years of working life.

The West Bengal 'Krishakbandhu' Employees Association, which represents approximately 750 temporary workers in the 'Krishakbandhu' project, claims that the state government promised them a job guarantee of 60 years before the 2021 assembly polls. Despite assurances from the government, the association alleges that no action has been taken, and they are demanding appointment letters as soon as possible. The group has also raised several other demands, including a salary instead of an allowance and the right to a permanent position.

The situation has become tense as tensions between the government and the agitators increase. Farmer Friends-Support Workers attempted to march to the Jessop building on Strand Road, but police obstruction prevented them from doing so. The protesters then sat down on the car porch under the building. The Krishakbandhu-aid activists have warned of larger protests in the future if their demands are not met.

Meanwhile, the government employees' agitation for the settlement of due DA has also been gaining momentum. The Sangamri Joint Forum has called for a strike on March 10, supported by the State Coordination Committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist). The protestors claim that the government has not fulfilled its promise to give 6 percent DA, as the notification only announced a 3 percent increase.