CHENNAI: The State Cabinet will meet on January 6 at the Secretariat under the chairmanship of Chief Minister MK Stalin, coinciding with the day when the Joint Action Council of Tamil Nadu Teachers' Organisations and Government Employees' Organisations (JACTO-GEO) has called an indefinite statewide protest, and ahead of the commencement of the Assembly session scheduled to begin on January 20.

Government staff associations have urged the restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) and raised issues surrounding vacancies, pay revisions and service conditions. The Cabinet is expected to discuss the report submitted by a three-member committee to chief minister MK Stalin, examining pension options, including OPS.

With expectations running high among government employees, industry stakeholders and the public, the outcomes of the Cabinet deliberations are being closely watched.

The meeting would play a crucial role in shaping the legislative agenda for the upcoming session, which begins on January 20 with the Governor’s address.

A major focus of the Cabinet meeting will be the preparation of the Governor’s address, which traditionally outlines the government’s priorities, achievements and policy roadmap for the year ahead.

Ministers are expected to deliberate on key themes, welfare initiatives and developmental programmes to be highlighted in the address to the House.

The Cabinet meeting assumes added significance as the government is expected to face opposition scrutiny on governance, economic performance and welfare delivery during the Assembly session.

Opposition parties, including the AIADMK and BJP, are expected to raise issues such as the Thiruparankundram controversy and law and order. The Cabinet meeting is likely to review responses to be presented in the Assembly.

Meanwhile, senior ministers held discussions on Wednesday on the pension matter. Sources said the Group of Ministers examined the committee’s recommendations and explored inviting unions for talks to resolve demands.