Date:08/09/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/08/stories/2008090859690300.htm

Tamil Nadu - Tiruchi

“Stop introducing contract system”

Special Correspondent

Local Administration Employees’ Federation’s plea to Government

TIRUCHI: The Tamil Nadu Local Administration Employees’ Federation affiliated to the AITUC has urged the Government to do away with its move to introduce contract system in health services department.

A resolution to this effect was adopted at the general body meeting of the federation here on Sunday. The Government should appoint additional health staff in the Corporations and the Municipalities based on the population and area. The Government should select only those who have registered their names for this particular job.

Another resolution demanded that the Government fill the vacancies, which arose due to the death of the employees, with their wards on compassionate ground, with immediate effect. These vacancies should not be filled with other persons.

The federation demanded that the Government hike the salary of the drinking water pump operators and sanitary workers in the 12,618 village panchayats from the present Rs. 600. The salary should be commensurate with the present day economic conditions. The federation had already presented memorandums to the Chief Minister and the Local Administration Minister, but there has been no response. The Government should hike their salaries immediately. Besides, it should also provide pension to them by including them in class IV employees category.

Yet another resolution urged the Government to provide the third instalment under the 6th Pay Commission recommendations along with interest to the Local Administration staff immediately.

By other resolutions, the meeting urged the Government to provide pension as per the old system to the LA staff, whose services were confirmed after 2004, free house site pattas to the health staff etc.

The president of the federation, T. R. S. Mani presided over the meeting.