Transport Department employees urge State government to fulfil their demands

Tamil Nadu Transport Department Staff Association, Madurai, on Saturday urged the State government to fulfil their 10-point charter of demands.

The members said they had proposed to conduct a mass demonstration in front of all zonal offices in the State on November 5 to draw the attention of the authorities to their plight and demands.

Addressing journalists after a meeting with the association members, its honorary president K. Balasubramanian in the presence of State president S. Vijayagurusamy and State vice-president S. Abu Bakkar Sithik, highlighted the key demands of the members. He said the vacancies in various posts in the department should be filled immediately.

When the work has increased, the number of employees dealing with it should also be increased. However, various positions are lying vacant. Instead of filing the vacant positions, existing employees are given more work. They were being overburdened, he said, adding that the required ratio should be followed.

Another issue highlighted at the meeting was with regard to transfers and periodical promotions to the employees. Outsiders were influencing transfers and there was misuse of power. Earlier, this was limited to a few positions. Now it was almost every position. Periodical transfers were not taking place and also periodical promotions were not being given, he said.

As a result, the administration was suffering. Even the post of record clerk was not being filled up. Public service was being affected. Promotions should be provided to the eligible persons immediately, Mr. Balasubramanian said.

He also lamented that there was no proper grievance redressal for the employees. Earlier, the higher authorities would inspect the offices and ask the employees as to whether there were any grievances and redress them. However, nowadays, the grievances of the employees were not being heard and redressed.

There was no proper channel to bring the issues to the notice of the higher authorities. Funds should be used for the development of the department. But this was not being done, he added.