Avoid JACTO-GEO protests by any means, PMK to government

From September 7, a strike has been announced for their demands like implementation of the seventh pay commission recommendations and restoration of old pension scheme.

Dr S Ramadoss, PMK founder, in a statement, said, “It is highly condemnable that though the government is well aware of such a demonstration, it still remains passive. The government should implement the demands put forth by its employees.” 

All the demands would not be difficult for the government to implement, he added. Stating that the ruling AIADMK members spend more time on frequent visits to Delhi to escape from the various corruption cases, Ramadoss questioned, “Why the same members cannot allot time to hold talks with the representatives of the JACTO-GEO?” 

It is a clear indication that how Edappadi K Palaniswami led ‘benami’ government is careless about the government staff’s demands. “The government might think that they could handle protests by force, as was done earlier. However, such thinking would pave way for the defeat of the same,” the PMK leader said.  

“When government employees held similar protests in 2003, the then government led by former chief minister J Jayalalithaa had handled the situation by force,” Ramadoss said and recalled that she was defeated in the next election as a result of it.  

“With the quarterly examinations fast approaching in the schools, the teaching fraternity should work hard to make students prepare for the same. In such a condition, the proposed strike will affect, to a large extent to student community. Similarly, absence of employees will also affect public,” he added. 

The PMK leader demanded the government to take stock of the situation and hold talks with the high-level committee of the JACTO-GEO to avoid the protest.