Panaji, Mar 8 (UNI) The employees of Goa government today took out a massive rally here to protest against failure of the leadership in meeting their demands, including hike in wages and allowances.

The rally, organised by the Goa Government Employees Association (GGEA), began from the Church square and was to culminate at the state Legislative Assembly, but the marchers were stopped at the Mandovi bridge, as the Assembly was in session.

The rally was led by the Association president Mangaldas Shetkar, general secretary Babli Naik and AITUC general secretary Christhopher Fonseca.

A delegation later called on Chief Minister Pratapsinh Rane at the Assembly and submitted a memorandum enlisting their demands, which included parity in pay scales and retirement age, restoration of leave encashment, payment of transport allwance and stoppage of contract appointments.

The marchers, holding placards, shouted slogans in support of their demands and warned the government against any further delay in considering their demands.

Armed policemen in large numbers cordoned off the slogan-shouting agitators, including women, thereby affecting the vehicular traffic on the busy Mumbai-Goa national highway till evening.

UNI