Chennai: Averring that it will not be befitting for government employees and teachers to indulge in prolonged agitation as they too have a social commitment, Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami has passionately appealed to the striking members of the Jactto-Geo (Joint Action Council of Tamil Nadu Teachers Organisations and Government Employees Organisation) to immediately return to work.
Maintaining that the government had never denied their just rights, he said Amma (late CM J. Jayalalithaa) had implemented several welfare initiatives for them without being asked. “That's why the Amma government was the first to implement the recommendations of the seventh pay commission, besides settle the arrears. “As a result, the government has to incur an additional expenditure of Rs 14,500 crore. Unmindful of the expenditure, and a huge debt burden, the government had decided to implement the seventh pay commission recommendation, because it took into account the well-being of its employees,”
Mr Palaniswami said in a statement here on Tuesday.
“The state government should strive for the well-being of the people and my government employees too have a role. Only when we strive together, the quality of the lives of the poor and needy will improve, job opportunities could be created for the youth, hope instilled in the lives of people, and the
State could be steered onto the path of development,” the Chief Minister said.
In order to ensure this, it is the duty of everyone to create financial resources and use it properly for the welfare of people, he said. “At this point of time, we should not be selfish but think of public welfare and act with a sense of sacrifice and give up our rights,” Mr Palaniswami appealed. Tamil Nadu was in the grip of drought and there was drinking water crisis in several districts due to monsoon failure and people facing huge hardships. People were yet to recover from the impact of cyclone Gaja and reclaim agriculture. Permanent solution has to be found for their several problems. At the same time, the developmental works in the State will have to be implemented without any setback, Mr Palaniswami said.
Its govt duty to protect educators: Kamal
Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) president Kamal Haasan has appealed to the teachers to return to work considering the plight of the students who are about to face examinations.
“It is the duty of the Government to protect the educators. It is the duty of the educators to protect education. Even if the Government fails in its duty, teachers cannot afford to do so. With the exams round the corner, it is our duty to save tomorrow's hope -the students and their education,” he said.
Kamal said the negotiations for rights could continue, “keeping the school doors open out of the sense of duty.” “This is my voice representing the 8 crore people of Thamizh Nadu,” he said.
