Sengottaiyan holds high-level meet to break impasse

According to sources in the Secretariat, Sengottaiyan held a brief meeting with the top bureaucrat in the latter’s office. He subsequently met Shanmugam and discussed the financial implications of meeting the demands put forth by the protesting government employees.

The indefinite strike, which commenced on January 22, intensified on Monday after DYFI, SFI and other students’ organisations decided to lend their support. Several government schools across the State remained shut, while work in government offices got affected due to the protests.

In a bid to seek an emergency solution, the minister met top bureaucrats of the state and held meeting with them.

According to sources, Sengottaiyan asked Girija Vaidyanathan whether there was any chance of fulfilling one or two demands (out of the total nine) put forth by the protesters. He is also said to have suggested to her that the strike would be withdrawn if a major demand is fulfilled. During the meeting with Shanmugam, Sengottaiyan enquired about the State’s financial position in the event of fulfilling one of the demands.

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Following the two crucial meetings, Sengottaiyan said: “Although the JACTTO-GEO protest was discussed, my focus was on seeking allocation of fund for constructing a minor dam in my constituency before the Parliamentary polls.”

A senior School Education Department official said that all the staff in theDirectorate of Examinations were not part of the strike, and the proposed tests and board exams will be held as per schedule.