Imphal: Manipur's administrative engine is grinding to a halt. A massive cease-work strike by state employees hit its ninth day Thursday, bleeding the government of 1.66 crore rupees daily. Total losses have already climbed past 13.28 crore rupees.
The Manipur Government Services Federation launched the protest on July 1. They want seven demands met, including higher retirement ages, better pay, and pension reforms. They also demand the state match central government Dearness Allowance rates of 60 percent. Currently, they get 42 percent.
Government offices stay open. But the work stopped. Files sit idle on desks, freezing financial sanctions and stalling essential projects. Public services face major delays.
Federation leaders met with Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh to force a deal. The federation claims the Chief Minister promised to look at restoring Saturday holidays. However, he asked for more time to weigh the other demands.
The union remains restless. The federation stated that it is "considering intensifying its agitation if satisfactory progress is not made on its principal demands."
Previous talks with Chief Secretary Puneet Kumar Goel on July 3 went nowhere. The strike creates pressure on the government as it nears the 2027 elections. Both sides need a quick fix before the damage to the state grows even worse.
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