Odisha Fire Services Personnel Threaten Mass Leave From Feb 21

Bhubaneswar: The personnel of Odisha fire services have threatened to go on mass leave to press their demands from February 21.

Speaking to media persons in Bhubaneswar on Monday, Akshya Pradhan, president of the association of fire services personnel said they have been raising their demands before the government for a long time.

As the government failed to heed their appeals, they have been protesting by wearing black badges for the last two months. But their protest also failed to elicit any response from the government, he said.

Their two major demands included salaries, allowances and cadres at par with the Odisha police and registration of their association which was formed in 1980.

Stating that their demands were genuine and pending since long, firemen, havildars and drivers of the fire services have participated in the protest, Pradhan said.

“If the government fails to take steps to meet our demands, all the personnel will go on mass leave from Wednesday. The government should not hold us responsible for the difficulties to be posed to the public for their agitation,” he added.