Date:11/04/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/04/11/stories/2005041107200400.htm

Tamil Nadu

CPI(M) faults Government for pay hike

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI, APRIL 10. The State unit of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) today faulted the State Government for effecting a pay hike for MLAs, while refusing to heed to a host of demands from the people.

In a release here, the party said the Government repeatedly cited financial constraints to concede to the people's demands. Road mazdoors were yet to be taken back despite a court order; the Government was not taking steps to fill vacancies in its departments and educational institutions; it had not implemented the Kolappan Committee recommendations to help farmers and reduced the outlay for many social welfare schemes.

It was in this background the CPI(M) MLAs protested against the pay hike, it said and criticised the Chief Minister for ridiculing the MLAs.