Bhubaneswar, Feb. 11: Sunil Mohanty, a 2008 pass out from Utkal University, travelled all the way from Mumbai to get his certificates re-issued from the varsity after he had lost it recently. But, he had to return back disappointed in view of the cease work agitation by the university clerks.

“It is for the fourth time that I have come here, but I am not able to get my work done. The employees are on an indefinite strike and it’s really harassing. I urgently needed the certificates to apply for a new job,” said Mohanty.

The strike has affected the day-to-day functioning of the varsity’s administrative work.

The clerical staff members, under the banner of the Utkal University Non-teaching Employees’ Association, have resorted to cease work since last week, protesting against non-recruitment of manpower and unhygienic workplace. Over 600 non-teaching employees have been squatting before the vice-chancellors office.

Association member Khetramohan Jena said the association had served ultimatum to the authorities, demanding the repair of crumbling infrastructure and filling up of vacant posts. “We have been working in an abysmal conditions without basic sanitation and working conditions,” said Biswaranjan Behera, an official.

The employees are also demanding repair and maintenance of staff quarters and roads. “The safety measures on the campus should also improve,” said Jena. An employee said no concrete steps had been taken to solve the issues.

On January 7, the association submitted a memorandum to vice-chancellor P.K. Sahoo with an ultimatum seeking action on their demands within a month. “This time, too, they remained indifferent and the unions of the varsity decided to cease work,” said Jena.

“There are no furniture and the offices are in a dismal condition. There is no access to clean drinking water and urinals,” said an association member. Condition of staff quarters is worse with clogged drains and roads full of potholes,” a protester rued.

“Despite repeated pleas, the authorities have turned a deaf ear to our problems. We did not have any option but to launch cease work,” said Jena.