UP Infrastructure commissioner links Noida violence to 'outsiders', says "workers seeking wage hike amid inflation"

Noida (Uttar Pradesh) [India], April 14 (ANII): Uttar Pradesh's Infrastructure and Industrial Development Commissioner (IIDC) Deepak Kumar on Tuesday said that workers involved in protests in Noida have demanded a wage hike due to rising inflation, while alleging that the violence was carried out by "outsiders" and not local labourers.

Addressing the media here, Kumar said, "We spoke to the workers yesterday, and it (talks) will continue. The labourers have said that there should be a hike in their salaries due to inflation. They said that all violence and arson was carried out by people from outside, not locals. 11 people arrested."

He added that the Uttar Pradesh government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, is committed to generating employment and addressing workers' concerns. "You are aware of the CM's commitment to make the state number one in every sector. He is committed to bringing the best policies for the generation of employment opportunities. After this incident occurred, the CM constituted a committee for it," Kumar said.

Kumar also flagged misinformation surrounding wage issues, stating, "A misinformation campaign was run in the whole of Delhi NCR, where it was said that the Government of India has made Rs 20,000 as the minimum wage. The reality is that the Government of India is carrying out the process under its codes and laws."

The remarks come amid continued protests by workers in the Hosiery Complex in Phase 2 of Noida, who have been demanding higher minimum wages. The protests turned violent on Monday following clashes with police, during which vehicles were torched, and stones were pelted.

According to Gautam Buddha Nagar Police Commissioner Laxmi Singh as of Tuesday, more than 300 people have been arrested in connection with the violence, and multiple FIRs have been registered. Police have intensified security deployment and conducted route marches to maintain order.

Meanwhile, a high-level committee constituted by the state government has recommended an interim wage hike of around 21 per cent for workers in Gautam Buddha Nagar and Ghaziabad, effective from April 1.

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