Even as the AIADMK functionaries are gearing up for the birthday celebrations of Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, drivers, conductors and technicians of the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (Division-IV) in Theni and Dindigul districts are a disgruntled lot. They allege that a majority of them are forced to donate blood during the celebration to gain entry into the Guinness Book of World Records. The Anna Thozhil Peravai (ATP), workers’ wing of the AIADMK, has been reportedly coercing bus crew belonging to all unions, except Labour Progressive Front, for the past three days to sign a consent letter to donate blood. No option is given to workers, irrespective of their health status. Even temporary workers and technical crew are not spared.
As soon as managers landed in Dindigul after taking part in a special meeting in Chennai on Monday, they started issuing a series of instructions. The routine Tuesday meeting of union leaders with the General Manager was cancelled and all trade unionists, except those of ATP, were asked to leave the venue of the meeting. An exclusive meeting was conducted to discuss the blood donation camp, TNSTC sources said.
The sources said that branch managers had been asked to counsel workers and motivate them to donate blood. They were directed to contact TNSTC clients like higher educational institutions and ask them to send blood donors. “We can convince the crew. How can we convince outsiders,” asked a worried senior branch manager. When contacted, Anna Thozhil Peravai, district secretary Selva Pandian said the functionaries had been motivating union members to donate blood.
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“All of them expressed their wish to donate blood. We did not compel anyone, he added.