FAISALABAD, June 1: Stepping up efforts to oppose retrenchment plan, the Ayub Agricultural Research Institute joint action committee has demanded direct intervention of the president and the prime minister for withdrawal of the proposal.

They also opposed the possible introduction of contractual system for the research scientists and other employees.

Speaking at a news conference at the press club on Thursday, committee president Shafqat Mumtaz Rao, secretary Shahzad Husain and convener Omar Farooq, along with several employees, alleged that a particular group in the provincial agriculture department had conceived a plan to convert the biggest research institute into a corporate authority and to introduce the agricultural research on a contract.

They contended that the plan was against the chief minister’s policy and also in violation of fundamental rights of employees. The AARI had been functioning for the last 50 years, they said, and it had introduced a number of high-yield cash crop varieties as well as provided the latest agricultural implements. And the country was earning a net profit of over Rs100 billion annually by virtue of the efforts made by its researchers.

For instance, the increase in wheat production from 3.5 million ton in 1970 to 20 million ton in 2006 was a proof of the diligence and achievements of the researchers of this institute. The scientists too had not lagged behind as they had introduced the latest varieties of rice, cotton, sugarcane, mango, kinno and other fruits and vegetables, they added.

The AARI representatives alleged that some bureaucrats in the Punjab government had planned to restructure the institute only to get benefits from the Asian Development Bank.

It was a matter of regret that all those employees who were deputed through the Public Service Commission and the selection committees had now been asked to appear before a new selection committee, which would offer them jobs on a contract.

At present, around 4,400 AARI employees are working between grade 1 and 18 and only 22 are working above these ranks. According to the plan, only 50 per cent of the employees below the grade 19 will be appointed on a contract while the remaining will be sacked.

The concerned officials said the officers in grade 19 and 20 were being given salaries between Rs100,000 and Rs150,000, which was unjustified. They threatened to stage protest in front of the offices of the chief minister and Punjab governor if they were sacked or their institution was transformed into a corporate authority.

Meanwhile, the institute employees observed a token strike on the second consecutive day on Thursday against the government’s plan. They announced a complete strike for Friday.