Staff protests demanding equal pay as central government employees hit UP education, health services

A strike by state government employees in Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday hit education and health services even as some employees' unions disassociated themselves from the agitation.

Despite the chinks in the unions, the strike appeared successful on the first day as clerks and other ministerial staff at Jawahar Bhawan, Indira Bhawan and the health directorate remained off duty.

Officials admitted that due to the strike by the UP Lab Technician Association, blood testing at different government hospitals across the state suffered badly as patients were not attended to.

Employees' union leaders said if the government did not pay heed to their demands, the strike would be expanded in the coming days to essential services like power and public transport.

Security has been stepped up in government establishments fearing violence by the striking employees.

The agitation is being led by the Rajya Karmachari Sanyukt Parishad which is demanding pay at par with central government employees.

As many as 200 employees' unions have extended their support to the strike call. This strike is the first of its kind after a gap of 20 years.

The state government has asked all district magistrates and officials to ensure that employees who want to disassociate themselves from the strike are allowed to work.