The Jammu and Kashmir government invoked the Essential Services Maintenance Act in the state, as over 4.50 lakh employees went on a weeklong strike from Monday.
A senior state government officer told rediff.com that the ESMA has been invoked in the state with immediate effect to deal with the striking employees.
The state government employees have demanded payment of pending arrears of the Sixth Pay Commission and enhancement in the retirement age from the present 58 to 60.
Senior state government officers and employees leaders held several rounds of negotiations in Srinagar without any breakthrough, as the government made it clear that "it cannot pay the arrears as it had no money".
An all-party delegation of the state is slated to go to New Delhi soon to request centre for funds to pay the salary arrears.
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