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22,000 buses go off roads, lakhs stranded in TN

Major transport workers' unions including DMK-backed Labour Progressive Union and the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) called for an indefinite strike starting Sunday midnight.

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(Clockwise) A large fleet buses parked at Koyambedu bus terminal in Chennai on Monday morning; With 70 percent of workforce did not turn up for work, the transport department engaged private company buses to ply in certain routes in Chennai to overcome the indefinite strike called by transport unions; and Passengers had to wait for a long time for the buses in Chennai due to operation of few buses on Monday.
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Commuters across Tamil Nadu on Monday faced difficulty as 70 per cent of the 22,000 government-run buses remained off the roads.

Major transport workers' unions including DMK-backed Labour Progressive Union and the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) called for an indefinite strike starting Sunday midnight.

As the majority of state transport buses remained off the roads in most parts of the state, the government said it was ready for talks and would take steps to clear the rush. Passengers in Chennai, Tiruchi and Thanjavur, among others complained that they were stranded for hours even as crowds thronged the few available private ones.

TN government operates 22,000 buses daily through eight transport corporations including the Metropolitan Transport Corporation in Chennai, with a workforce of 1.4 lakh people, transporting more than 1.5 crore passengers every day.

The indefinite strike was called for after talks on various issues, including retirement benefits and certain pending dues with the government failed. "The government should take full responsibility for the indefinite strike that began on Monday. We express our regret for the inconvenience caused to the general public," a joint statement issued by the leaders of 10 trade unions said.

The unions said that the transport corporations have spent about Rs 7,000 crore - the money deducted from the salaries of the workers for the employment provident fund, LIC premium and loans taken from the societies. "The corporations have failed to pay Rs 1,700 crore arrears to 13,000 retired workers for the past many years. We are also demanding the government to start wage revision negotiations and are also seeking a package to rehabilitate the debt-ridden corporation. The unions had given a strike notice in February 2017, pressing these very issues," A Soundararajan, state president, CITU said.

However, Transport Minister MR Vijayabaskar was keen to dismiss the strike rather than fulfilling the demands of the workers. He demanded the government to invite the unions for talks to settle the issues amicably.

Vijayabaskar also said that 37 unions were in support of the government. Ten other unions, including those headed by the DMK and the Left, have participated in the strike. "Efforts are on to operate the buses in full strength.

2,000 private vehicles will be operating in Chennai to clear the rush," he told the reporters.

Police protection was being given to buses plying on the roads, he said, adding that the government was ready to hold talks to break the logjam if the unions came forward for discussions. The government was also mulling deploying retired personnel and private drivers to operate buses, officials said.

Following the state government's request, Southern Railway has announced operating inter-city services between Chennai and other destinations. It has also increased the number of services on various suburban routes in and around Chennai.

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