The PIL further requested the high court to also direct the state to ensure adherence to provisions of the Essential Commodities Maintenance Act, 1981, which provides for smooth and uninterrupted supply of essential commodities to the people.
The court has fixed Nov 22 as the next date of hearing. Over 16 lakh state employees struck work to press for their demands Nov 12. From Monday, they have also begun stalling medical facilities in a phased manner.
While opposition parties have been calling for dialogue, the state government has so far cold shouldered demands of talks. Urban Development Minister Mohammad Azam Khan Monday night told reporters in Aligarh the strike was a flop and the state government working was not at all affected by it.
Bharatiya Janata Party state spokesman Vijay Bahadur Pathak slammed the state government and accused it of being dictatorial. "One section of the government says they are ready for talks and the employees say they too want to meet the chief minister, so where is the problem?" he asked.
