Southern States - Tamil Nadu

Strike ban Bill passed after walkout

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI May. 10. Even as the entire Opposition staged a noisy walkout from the Assembly, the AIADMK Government today enacted the controversial legislation banning strikes by workers in ``essential services.'' The Tamil Nadu Essential Services Maintenance Act, 2002, which clamps down on workers who refuse to work overtime too, was dubbed ``fascist, black and anti-labour'' by the DMK, the TMC and the Left parties.

The Opposition leaders, including those of the Congress and the BJP, deplored the ``undemocratic Bill'', which provides for three-year imprisonment and Rs. 5,000-fine even for those who incite, fund or campaign for strikes. But the Finance Minister, C. Ponnaiyan, insisted the Bill was only aimed at enforcing work discipline and lifting the economic prospects of Tamil Nadu. When he claimed that the Karunanidhi regime kept a ``draft proposal'' ready for a similar legislation, the DMK deputy leader, Durai Murugan, said the party gave up the move and the AIADMK too should shelve it.

The TMC leader, S.R. Balasubramaniam, said the measure would not stand legal scrutiny and was violative of the Constitution. K. Ponmudi (DMK) warned that the State was moving towards a Nazi regime. The CPI (M) leader, J. Hemachandran, accused the Government of ``strangulating the workforce'' and targeting transport corporations staff opposing privatisation moves. The Bill was passed by voice vote, after all Opposition members left the House.

The PMK walked out just after the Bill had been taken up for consideration.

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