CHENNAI: A delegation of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), led by state secretary P Shanmugam, met Chief Minister MK Stalin at the Secretariat on Tuesday and placed a charter of demands relating to government employees, workers and welfare schemes.

While welcoming the resolution of the long-pending pension issue of State government employees and teachers, the CPM leaders, including the party’s politburo member K Balakrishnan and state secretariat member K Kanagaraj, sought immediate steps to enhance the low pension being paid to noon meal and anganwadi workers. They also demanded that the 41-month termination period faced by road workers be treated as qualifying service and that all consequential benefits be extended to them.

The delegation urged the government to redesignate those appointed as gangmen in the power utility in 2021 as field assistants and to regularise contract workers in the electricity board who have completed over 10 years of service. They further pressed for talks with secondary-grade teachers who are agitating for equal pay for equal work, with a view to arriving at an amicable settlement.

Among other demands were the immediate release of career advancement incentive pay to eligible college professors, an increase in the monthly maintenance allowance for persons with disabilities, a fixation of the sugarcane price at Rs 4,000 per tonne, and the implementation of the smart meter installation scheme as a capital expenditure project on the lines of Kerala. The CPM leaders also reiterated their demand for a memorial in honour of freedom fighter SS Viswanathadas.

The Chief Minister, who heard the demands, assured the delegation that appropriate action would be taken. Senior ministers and officials were present during the meeting.