Thiruvonam, the day to go hungry

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM 23/08/2010---Retired employees of the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation stage a mock feast with sand laid out on plantain leaves in front of the Secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday to protest the delay in payment of pension for the Onam festival. .......................Photo:C.Ratheesh kumar

While households across the city were enjoying the traditional Onasadya on Monday noon, dozens of people belonging to three organisations staged a hunger strike in front of the Secretariat to highlight their demands.

Retired employees of the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation staged a mock feast, with sand spread out on plantain leaves to protest against the delay in disbursement of advance pension for the festival season.

The retirees demanded that the government take over their pension to end the uncertainties in disbursement.

President of KSRTC Pensioners Organisation P.R.S. Kartha and general secretary P.A.Mohammed Ashraf were among those who addressed the sit-in.

Four housing project

Members of the Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe Ekopana Samara Samithi, who have been on an indefinite strike since August 12, also staged a fast on Thiruvonam day urging the government to take up housing projects for SC/ST families in the city on the land purchased with funds from the Special Component Plan.

Leaders of the Samithi alleged a bid to use the land, earmarked for housing projects, for other purposes.

Samithi chairman C.C.Kunhan and general secretary Karakulam Satyakumar addressed the members on the occasion.

Contract workers of the Kerala State Electricity Board also staged a dharna and hunger strike before the Secretariat demanding bonus.