There are as many as 22000 government run buses in the state of Tamil Nadu. The news that has come out now is beginning from 19th of June 2018 nearly 80 percent of these 22000 buses might stay off the roads.
The reason for that is confederation of major transport workers unions that are mostly affiliated to DMK and TNSTC or Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation would be taking part in a strike once again. The state government has failed to keep up its word on fulfilling the demands and this has created many issues.
It is said that the retirement benefits of amount of Rs 1600 crores has not been cleared even now. Another important point is the provident funds and LIC money to be paid for the concerned organization has not been paid yet. Every month the amount gets deducted from the employee’s salaries. Payment equivalent to other government employees was also one important demand from the unions.
It must not be forgotten that in the month of January in 2018 for a period of 8 days there was a strike because the negotiations by the staff unions with the state transport department regarding revision of wages etc failed. Pay scale revision to Rs 3000 was demanded by the employees of the state transport who took part in the strike.
Payment of amount Rs 24, 400 was agreed in principle by the authorities concerned. As a result the employees were not happy and felt it was injustice for the workers who have to deal with traffic plus stress day in and day out. It is worthy to mention that the dues that must be paid to the transport employees stood at mammoth Rs 7543 crores. The government increased the ticket rates quoting increased operational costs and it had an inverse effect on the department.