The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Political parties, unions hail announcements

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, May 25, 2006

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Political parties, unions hail announcements

Special Correspondent

Term move to repeal TESMA, fill Government vacancies "commendable"

CHENNAI: Political parties and unions of government employees and teachers have lauded the State Government for announcing a number of measures that would benefit government staff, minorities and students.

Referring to the announcements in the Governor's address, Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president M. Krishnasswamy described the address as commendable. The repeal of the Tamil Nadu Essential Services Maintenance Act (TESMA), filling of vacancies in government departments and teaching posts and raising the upper age limit by five years would help the youth.

Tamil Nadu Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam leader M.H. Jawahirullah said the move to repeal the Prohibition of Forcible Conversion of Religion Act and enact a law for reservation for Muslims and Christians were reassuring for the minorities.

Karunanidhi thanked

The South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce and Nadigar Thilagam Sivaji Social Welfare Forum thanked Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi for having decided to install a statue of the late actor Sivaji Ganesan.

New Justice Party leader A.C.Shanmugam said education and employment had been given priorities.

The Tamil Nadu Government Officials' Union and the Government Employees' Association welcomed the employee welfare measures. These would reduce the burden of the staff. The Tamil Nadu Secretariat Association said the Governor's address would pave the way for all-round development of the State. The Tamil Nadu Post-graduate Teachers' Association and the Tamizhaga Asiriyar Kootani urged the Government to conduct transparent counselling for transfer of teachers.

The Tamil Nadu Elementary School Teachers' Federation and the Higher Secondary Vocational Teachers' Kazhagam said abolition of consolidated pay scheme for schoolteachers would enhance the quality of education. The Tamil Nadu Government Collegiate Teachers' Association urged the administration to take steps for appointment of teachers in government colleges on a war footing to enable the smooth conduct of classes.

The Association of University Teachers, Tamil Nadu, expressed the hope that some more announcements such as restoration of pension benefits and sanction of pay for three days of the July 2003 struggle, would be announced.

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