Kurukshetra :
The Kurukshetra University Non-Teaching Employees’ Association (KUNTEA) started indefinite strike demanding release of arrears as per the 7th Pay Commission recommendations and relaxation in qualification for promotion as the key demands.

Administrative work at various departments of Kurukshetra University was adversely affected as members of the association stayed away from the duty. It is the third major call of strike by KUNTEA in the last eight months.

There are about 1,600 non-teaching staffers. Only 700 outsourced employees worked on Wednesday.

No protest was held on the campus, and KUNTEA members did not report at work. Meanwhile, the KU administration has invoked ‘no work no pay’ rule while stating various demands raised by KUNTEA has been agreed upon by the authorities.

An official spokesperson said the Vice-Chancellor had appointed a five-member committee of Deans and the KUNTEA leaders had been invited for a dialogue.

The spokesperson said the VC had announced that university would disburse the arrears of Rs 10 crore as and when the funds were received from the state government.

The KU has not much financial resources to immediately pay the arrears to the employees. But the arrears are the legitimate right of KU staff and they would get it soon, he added. The spokesperson said the promotions for various posts would be done strictly as per the university rules.