Srinagar:
The government employees' strike in Jammu and Kashmir entered its second week on Monday, as the deadlock between the Government and employee unions in the state continued.
Around five lakh government employees are on strike, demanding sixth pay commission arrears and an increase in their retirement age from 58 years to 60.
The state government doesn't have the money to pay a whopping Rs 4,200 crore in arrears. And though the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) has been invoked in the state, the employees refuse to budge. Sources say hectic efforts are on to break the deadlock and find an amicable solution.