The Tamil Nadu Government Employees Association (TNGEA) welcomed the ‘attitudinal change’ of the AIADMK government headed by Chief Minister Jayalalithaa and urged her to fulfil the promises during the election campaign.
V. Ganapathy, State Treasurer; S.A. Vetri Rajan, State Vice President; and S.E. Kannan, State Secretary, told reporters that the association welcomes the ‘attitudinal change of the government’ in inviting TNGEA for talks to set right pay anomalies.
The committee which was appointed by the government started talks with various trade unions over the last two days.The committee is very particular about the pay anomalies and not about allowances and perks on a par with those of counterparts working in Central government jobs.
S.E. Kannan said that counterparts working in Central government jobs in the State are getting more allowances than the employees working in State government in the same capacity.
He said, the Central government increased the quantum of allowances 25 per cent if an employee’s dearness allowance exceeds 50 per cent of basic pay automatically, the same should be adopted here.
As announced by the Chief Minister Jayalalithaa during her electioneering, she should invite all the trade unions for talks to set right the anomalies and shortfalls in allowances.
Over 1.70 lakh posts in various departments are vacant; they should be filled up soon, as it will give a chance to the unemployed graduates in the State.
Moreover, the posts sanctioned for various government jobs were not matching the growing population. The government should create additional posts proportionate to the population.
The office-bearers of TNGEA also demand that the government withdraw the practice of outsourcing services in various departments including health.
The Association also demanded withdrawal of increase in prices of petroleum and other essential products, as this was affecting the general public.
Later, the State-level office-bearers flagged off a campaign van as part of their State-wide movement of ‘Government Employees – People’s Meeting’ near the Hosur Municipality
The campaign was simultaneously flagged off from Kaliakavilai, Rameswaram, Koodalur, and Kodiyakkarai.
The campaign vans will converge at Chennai on July 19. A mammoth rally towards Fort St. George will be held from Manroe Statue on Anna Salai on July 20, in which over one lakh employees will participate, they said.
