TASMAC staff’s appeal for redeployment grows louder

“Around 4,300 outlets have been closed down in the state based on the apex court’s direction. But, the TASMAC authorities have not given any assurance to us, following the order,” the agitating employees said. “Instead, the officials told us to find an alternative place to relocate the closed outlets, if we want to keep our jobs,” they added. 

The TASMAC employees were in a confused state following the oral order. They were not able to withstand the mounting pressure from the public. As the new places, selected for relocation, fall in residential areas, people have been vehement in opposing the move. “We have lost hope of relocating the closed outlets, so TASMAC authorities must ensure our jobs,” the employees said in unison. 

There would be a meagre number of outlets left functioning after the implementation of the SC order and the AIADMK’s poll promise of closing a total of 1,000 shops in phases. “They cannot accommodate all of us in the minimal number of outlets. It will lead to overstaffing issues,” an employee said. 

“So, to ensure our employment, TASMAC authorities must recommend our names to fill the existing vacancies in other government departments,” they demanded. In Tiruchy, while raising slogans against the government, the TASMAC staff suddenly attempted to block the road in front of the Collectorate on Thursday. 

Police arrested around 300 employees in this connection. 

In Chennai, more than 500 members of the TASMAC Employees Association staged a road roko in front of Ezhilagam, which houses various government offices on Kamaraj Salai. The association demanded that employees who number around 30 per shop should be suitably redeployed. 

Meanwhile, around 50 members of Makkal Adhikaram staged a demonstration in front of the Egmore Railway Station demanding action against Tirupur ADSP A Pandiarajan, who slapped a woman during an anti-TASMAC agitation a few days ago.