BHOPAL: Work in state government offices badly suffered as 7 lakh employees went on day-long mass casual leave on Wednesday to protest rise in cases of manhandling of officials by political leaders. The statewide strike caused a great deal of inconvenience to people as they could not perform task like filling of property tax and getting caste certificates.

Man-handling of a sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) Rinkesh Vaishya by a local BJP leader Pawan Jain in Guna district on February 9 was the trigger for the strike.

"It is not my case. Such cases are on the rise. Everyone, including a public servant, has self-respect which should be respected," Rinkesh Vaishya told TOI.

Employees owing allegiance to Madhya Pradesh Rajya Prashashnik Sewa Sangh and 35 employee bodies participated in protests.

"We have given three months' deadline to the government for implementation of protection Act of the officials and employees, constituting fast-track courts for hearing these cases and constituting a state-level body for handling such cases," sangh chairman G P Mali told TOI.

"If demands are not met, we will decide further course of action," he added.

In Indore, SDMs and ADMs led protest from collector's office. Speaking to TOI, ADM Sudhir Kochar said, "Employees across the city, who staged dharna outside their offices, demanded enactment of Madhya Pradesh Government Servant Protection Act, setting up of fast-track courts for speedy disposal of cases. Many times accused roam around freely demoralizing government servants."

Madhya Pradesh Government Servant Association members said 1,000 cases have been reported in last decade. "State has failed to take any action against those responsible," said a member of state employee association.

