Chennai: PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss condemned Tamil Nadu govt’s crackdown on protesting midday meal and anganwadi workers.In a statement on Saturday, Anbumani demanded govt initiate immediate dialogue with workers and fulfil their 13-point charter demands, including enhanced pensions and regularisation. Part-time permanent staff, midday meal organisers, cooks and helpers have been demanding full-time permanent status with time-scale pay.
Their other key demands include a hike in pension from ₹2,000 to ₹6,750/month, a ₹5 lakh retirement gift for organisers, ₹3 lakh for cooks, and filling vacant posts. After the Jan 20 state-wide protests, govt promised action, and workers withdrew the strike. But on Jan 24, chief minister M K Stalin announced only a ₹3,400 pension and a ₹2 lakh retirement gift, said Anbumani.The workers have relaunched an indefinite sit-in from Feb 3, and the govt resorted to arresting them without inviting them for talks, he said. He condemned Sunday’s ‘JACTO-GEO’ thanks-giving meeting, honouring chief minister M K Stalin as ‘cruel comedy’.
