For the ‘Makkal Nala Paniyalargals’, who have had a roller coaster ride with every change in regime in Tamil Nadu, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin’s announcement on according them priority in the appointment of project coordinators under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme has offered a ray of hope.
But many workers have either retired or died or on the verge of retirement. Appointed during the DMK government of M. Karunanidhi, they were sacked by the AIADMK government.
“Of the 13,500 workers (awaiting reinstatement), 3,500 have died or retired. Over 200 persons died by suicide. Many of those who are waiting for reinstatement are likely to retire in the coming months. Even the youngest among them will have just five years of service, if reinstated,” said Nal. Chellapandian, president, Tamil Nadu Makkal Nala Paniyalargal Sangam.
Under the Chief Minister’s proposal, they will get appointments in the 12,524 village panchayats with a pay of ₹7,500 a month. But it will be subject to the outcome of a petition in the Supreme Court.
“Thirty-two years have passed since we were appointed in 1990 by the DMK government, led by Kalaignar [Karunanidhi]. We were in service for 11 years and out of service for 21 years,” said Mr. Chellapandian.
There were over 25,000 workers in 1990, and the number came down drastically over the years. Though their salary at the time of appointment was just ₹200, they came forward to take up the job with the hope that they would be made permanent employees. By the time of the termination of their service in 2011, they were drawing ₹6,000 a month as a special-time scale recommended by the Sixth Pay Commission.
Their contention is that the AIADMK government removed them just because they were appointed by the DMK government. They pointed out that while road workers and noon meal workers were able to get a regular income and lead a peaceful life, they became a victim of political vendetta. The AIADMK government went to the Supreme Court against the order of a Division Bench of the Madras High Court in favour of their reinstatement in the job or in another government department. Now they feel that the DMK government’s stand will work in their favour in the Supreme Court.
“The government has promised to give priority in the appointment to the legal heirs of the deceased workers. It is a welcome step. But we also want the Chief Minister to consider our request for giving the job to the legal heirs of the workers who are alive since most of us are on the verge of retirement. The government should also extend the solatium of ₹5,000 to all the workers as a compensation,” Mr. Chellapandian said.
