CHENNAI: NTK chief coordinator Seeman on Sunday said the implementation of the Tamil Nadu Assured Pension Scheme (TAPS), partially fulfilling a long-standing demand of government employees to restore the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), would place a financial burden on the State, but alleged that the DMK government has announced the plan mainly due to electoral considerations and pressure from strong employee unions.

Addressing the media in Karaikudi, Sivaganga district, Seeman welcomed TAPS. But he pointed out that the scheme would significantly increase the government's financial burden.

Stating that government employees' federations, particularly JACTO-GEO, are powerful and well-organised unions, he alleged that the government implemented the TAPS scheme to avoid electoral repercussions. The government didn't want to antagonise these employee organisations, he said. "If such a strong federation is ignored, it will have a direct impact on election results," he claimed.

Seeman further claimed that the State government has limited revenue sources and would be forced to generate funds for the pension scheme by increasing essential charges such as property tax, house tax, and electricity tariffs.

Responding to a question on TVK chief Vijay's power-sharing offer, Seeman said national-level ruling parties like the Congress and the BJP lead coalition governments and questioned why a similar arrangement should not be considered at the State level.