TN says DMK instigating stir by govt employees, Oppn walks out

Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam today charged DMK with instigating government employees, who are on a fast, pressing several demands.

DMK members staged a walkout, accusing the government of not coming forward for talks with the employees.

After meeting the protesting government employees, opposition leader in the assembly M K Stalin demanded that Chief Minister K Palaniswami hold talks with them and implement their demands.

Stalin, also the DMK working president, after meeting employees affiliated to Joint Action Committee of Tamil Nadu Teachers' Organisations- Government Employees' Organisations (JACTTO-GEO) referred to their demands, including implementing the old pension scheme.

Congress Legislature Party leader K R Ramasamy and the lone IUML member K A M Mohammed Abubacker backed Stalin's demand.

After explaining various steps the government took and the pay hike given to them, Panneerselvam sought cooperation of the government employees.

He sought the support of the leader of the opposition and other opposition parties over this issue.

Stalin reiterated that talks should be held with the employees and he expected a reply from the Chief Minister.

To this, Panneerselvam said "he (Stalin) has spoken in a way instigating them..he has told them that this government (AIADMK) will not do it (fulfill your demands) and that only they will do it after coming to power."
Blaming the government for not holding talks like during the Tuticorin issue, Stalin said since the "government is not coming forward for talks we are staging a walkout."
Blaming the government for not holding talks like during the Tuticorin issue,Stalin said "since the government is not coming forward for talks, we are staging a walkout."
"If the administrative expenditure is exceedingly high, it will not be possible to allocate funds for projects. All responsible government employees are well aware of this."