Friday, May 09, 2003
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Tamil Nadu
By Our Special Correspondent
The picketing protest had been called by the Federation of JACTTEO-GEO COTA-GEO, umbrella organisation of more than 50 unions/associations, representing government teachers and other staff. Those arrested included the federation leaders, N.L. Sreedharan, K. Suriyamoorthy, P.S. Soundarapandian, R. Thangarasu and Rajendran and dozens of women employees and teachers. Work was affected in several departments here as well as in district headquarters. At the Secretariat, hundreds of staff members gathered in front of the Namakkal Kavingnar building where a meeting was held from 11-30 a.m. In the Ezhilagam complex at Chepauk, the union leaders were stopped by the police and escorted to waiting buses, whey they tried to stage picketing. Those taken into custody around noon were released in the evening. The union leaders said there was great resentment among the staff after the Government had issued a circular on Wednesday warning employees against the picketing programme. The circular said disciplinary action would be initiated against those who signed attendance registers, but participated in the protest. "Despite this circular, thousands participated in the programme and several of them were taken into custody," said N.L. Sreedharan, federation spokesman. The leaders said the agitation would continue. They would meet from May 18 to 27 employees and teachers Statewide and start an indefinite strike on July 2.
`Pay 3 per cent DA arrears'
V. Padmanabhan, leader of the Tamilnadu Arasu Aluvalar Kazhagam (C and D Staff), which did not participate in the strike, reiterated his appeal to the Government to issue orders for payment of 3 per cent DA arrears and keep in abeyance, at least till September 30, five orders curtailing superannuation benefits. Employees noted that during a discussion with the union leaders, senior officials agreed to revoke the order that only 50 per cent of the gratuity would be given in cash and the rest in bonds. The employees were angry that they would be allowed to encash only 300 days of earned leave (instead of 330 days earlier). Even for the reduced period, house rent allowance and city compensatory allowance would not be taken into account. Also, only half the amount would be paid in cash and the rest in the form of bonds. Two other orders which upset the employees pertained to "commutation". Earlier, retirees had the option of encashing up to 10 per cent of the total pension payable in one's lifetime. This encashed amount would be proportionately reduced in the monthly pension. For example, a person retiring at 58 and eligible for Rs.5000 monthly pension could project a life period of up to 75 years. Ten percent of the total projected pension amount (calculated as Rs.5000 x 12 x 17 years) could be drawn in cash. This amount would be reduced proportionately in the monthly pension. Now the employees would be able to draw only 6 per cent. The union leaders say although the withdrawal of the benefits is as per Central Government norms, the employees are unhappy at having to forgo benefits enjoyed so long. In the Assembly, Opposition pleas seeking an amicable settlement to the staff agitation got no response from the Government.
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