Government employees in Gujarat are set to launch a series of protests, including a state-wide pen-down strike on Sep 17, coinciding with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's birthday and his visit to the state. 

The Gujarat State Karmchari Maha Mandal (GSKMM) in Gandhinagar has announced these actions to address 10 pending issues, with the revival of the old pension scheme being a key demand. 

As per a letter sent by GSKMM to Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Chief Secretary Raj Kumar, its other demands include: 

• Withdrawal of the government’s Supreme Court petition on fixed salaries 
• Implementation of 7th Pay Commission benefits
• Resolution of grade pay discrepancies
• Addressing pay scale disparities
• Compassionate employment for families of deceased employees
• Exemption from departmental exams for employees over 50 
• Ending outsourcing 
• Provision of subsidised plots

Employees from four zones will attend the Satyagraha camp in Gandhinagar to hold zone-wise protests through October: Central Gujarat on Oct 6, South and North Gujarat on Oct 13, and Saurashtra and North Gujarat on Oct 20, and Oct 27, respectively. 

The strike follows recent protests by junior resident doctors and marks an escalation in the ongoing dispute between state employees and the government.

This coordinated action represents a significant challenge for the state government, as it faces pressure from a united front of employees across various sectors and regions of Gujarat.

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