PAPSCO workers' woes likely to echo in resumed Assly session

: The recent agitation by about 900 part time and daily wage workers of Puducherry government owned Civil Supplies Corporation (PAPSCO) seeking disbursement of wages due for around six months is likely to have its echo in the forthcoming Assembly session.
Speaker V Sabapathy has reconvened the session to meet on March 25 and with the government yet to hear of finalisation of plan allocation size for for fiscal 2015-16 by NITI Aayog, the session would adopt Vote on Account to earmark funds for the first few months of the incoming financial year.
The budget session was set in motion by the Lt Governor Lt General (retired) A K Singh through his customary address on March 11. The House had a two day debate on Mar 12 and 13 on the motion of thanks tabled by ruling AINRC legislator M Vaithianathan and seconded by G Nehru on March 11.

Members of treasury and opposition blocks spoke on the motion and the House was adjourned on Mar 13 sine die without any reply from government on members' views on it.
The government has placed before the Centre a draft plan seeking allocation of Rs 2800 crore under the plan for 2015-16. This plan was finalised some weeks ago at a meeting of the Planning Board chaired by the Lt Governor.
The opposition is likely to raise the stir by workers of PAPSCO and subsequent action taken by government to quell it. The workers have been up in arms against the Corporation for delay in disbursement of their wages.

Most PSUs here are in the red and their liability has also increased. Some like the century old AFT mills have been non functional for nearly one and half years.

Opposition Congress has alleged that lack of proper planning by government and recruitment of workers through backdoor had eaten into PSUs fragile financial position.
PCC President A V Subramanian had said government should conduct a survey to identify the actual causes for the PSUs becoming 'white elephants'. Instead of doing this there was no point in victimising the workers he said. A similar view was echoed by CPI(M) party's local unit secretary R Rajangam.

Party wise strength in the House is: AINRC (15, including Speaker) Independent supporting the government (one), Congress (seven), AIADMK (five) and DMK (two).
In addition,the House has three nominated legislators (two of AINRC and one of alliance partner BJP.