"Cannot consider transport workers' demand to be treated as govt employees", says DCM Laxman Savadi
Bengaluru, Dec 13: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister Laxman Savadi on Sunday ruled out considering striking transport workers' demands to be treated as government employees, but said all legitimate needs within financial limitations are being looked into.
He said the option of deploying private bus operators was being examined to minimise the hardship faced by commuters till the issue was resolved.
"...Certain things are difficult.We have to do things within our financial limitations. Already the government has been hit because of COVID-19 and there are financial constraints.
We are thinking about giving them (employees) what can be given legitimately," Savadi, who is also the Transport Minister, said.
Speaking to reporters ahead of meeting workers' representatives here, he said some legitimate demands can be fulfilled as he expressed hope that the stalemate would be resolved and buses will start operating soon.
"Their demand of being considered as government employees is not possible as it is difficult.
There are several other corporations in the state with similar demands and if we do it now, it will open a pandora's box as others are ready with a petition.
Most part of the government's revenue will have to be spent on them if it happens," he added.
The employees major demands are that they be brought under the governments payroll, provided the same privilges/ incentives as government employees and compensation of Rs 30 lakh to those who died during Covid duty.
Asked why the government was not imposing Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) on the workers, he said they are like family and the government did not want to use such harsh measures on them now.
"They are our staff, we want to convince them. ESMA is like Brahmastra, we don't want to use it immediately.. there is no question of it.. I have trust in our employees, it (strike) will end," he said.
With public transport services coming to a grinding halt across the state, lakhs of commuters, who depend on buses for their daily commute, have been hit.
Meanwhile, official sources said a limited number of buses operated on Sunday in some parts of Bengaluru and various parts of the state. p
The minister said that GOVT IS CONSDIERNG PROVDING CERTAIN PERMIT RELAXTIONS FOR PVT BUS certain relaxations would be given to private bus operators to run their vehicles to ensure that the public does not face any inconvenience.
"I have already held discussions with the Commissioner (transport) in this regard and necessary steps will be taken," he added.
The DCM also indicated that the government was not ready to entertain farmers' leader Kodihalli Chandrashekhar, who has now emerged as the representative of the RTC workers.
to a question, he said there may be some motive behind Chandrashekhar's involvement in the strike and the government had not invited him for any meetings.
"We have called our worker representatives as they are part of our family," Savadi said, while stating that he would reveal about the "hidden hands" behind these strikes at a later stage.
On whether he suspects Congress' to be behind it, he merely said he was neither denying it or confirming it at this stage.
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TN polls: DMK promises Rs 8,000 'Illatharasi' coupon scheme for women
Chennai (PTI): Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK president M K Stalin on Sunday released his party's manifesto for the April 23 Assembly elections, and announced providing the "Illatharasi" coupon scheme worth Rs 8,000 for women to buy/replace household electronic goods.
He promised to implement a number of welfare measures in different sectors including education, industry and farming should the DMK return to power and described his party's set of poll promises as a "superstar.".
He said the coupon for women could be used to buy household appliances like TV, refrigerator, washing machine, mixie, microwave oven, induction stove or replace them.
"This new Illatharasi scheme will be implemented. Under this scheme, the women of families who don't come under the income tax bracket would be provided a one-time coupon worth Rs 8,000 to purchase these electronic goods from the shops in their places of residence," Stalin said.
'Illatharasi' in Tamil literally translates to the "queen of the house," and in effect refers to a women head of the family.
Announcing a slew of welfare measures targeting women, girl students, farmers and fishermen, he said "I have mentioned a few as a highlight."
"Usually in Tamil Nadu elections the DMK election manifesto is the hero, but now Dravidian model 2.O's poll manifesto is the superstar," Stalin, who is confident of winning over 200 seats out of 234 in the April 23 election, said.
Expanding the coverage for treatment under the CM Health Insurance scheme to Rs 10 lakh by increasing the annual income ceiling, hiking pension for elderly, widows and spinsters above 50 years to Rs 2,000 per month, doubling the monthly grant under the Kalaignar Magalir Urumai Thogai (monthly assistance) to Rs 2,000 and adding new eligible women under this scheme were some of the other promises the ruling party made.
Expanding the Chief Minister's Breakfast Scheme till Class 8, and providing free modern electric pump sets without any meters to more than 20 lakh farmers receiving free electricity were among the numerous announcements.
The DMK chief assured to enhance the procurement price of paddy to Rs 3,500 per quintal and the procurement price of sugarcane to Rs 4,500 per tonne.
About 10 lakh new concrete houses will be built under Kalaignarin Kanavu Illam housing scheme and various other housing schemes towards a hut-free Tamil Nadu by 2030.
Skill training will be imparted for five lakh youth who have completed higher education and they will also receive Rs 1,500 per month upon enrolment and completion of 6-month training under the Naan Mudhalvan scheme, he said.
The state will ensure foreign investment of Rs 18 lakh crore aiming to create 50 lakh jobs in five years. The monthly higher education grant of Rs 1,000 to students under Pudhumai Penn and Tamil Pudhalvan schemes will be increased to Rs 1,500. About 35 lakh free laptops will be provided to all college students.
Establishing four future-ready global cities around Coimbatore, Salem, Madurai, and Tiruchirappalli apart, about 50 Semmozhi Poonga's will be constructed across Tamil Nadu, he said.
In his address, Stalin exuded confidence that the DMK is " going to form government for seventh time."
"This confidence is not just of the party workers but all of TN people, because no state government has made so many achievements. So many record schemes have been delivered. We have achieved double digit growth," he said
The DMK started its tenure in 2021 with a 10-year vision plan.
Today, 1.31 crore women were receiving Rs 1000 monthly assistance, he said. The BJP tried to stop it citing election but we realised the conspiracy and gave it in advance in February," the DMK chief added.
The manifesto was prepared by a team headed by party deputy general secretary and Lok Sabha MP Kaniozhi and the team members included two state ministers. Stalin felicitated them on the occasion.
