“The pending issues pertaining to the wage revision of transport workers will be sorted out amicably and a decision will be arrived at during the next level of talks,” said State Transport Minister M.R. Vijayabhaskar.
Addressing presspersons at the end of the 9th round of talks held at the Metropolitan Transport Corporation training centre in Chromepet on Tuesday, Mr. Vijayabhaskar said: “The State government will take up the modernisation of the transport sector soon and discussions were held with the Chief Minister in this regard.” He said the Transport department is pursuing a plan to introduce battery-operated buses after another round of discussions and clarifications with the bus manufacturer. “Discussions are on with two manufacturers and soon, these buses would hit the Chennai city roads after little modifications,” he said.
He announced a few decisions taken at the meeting after discussions with trade union leaders. The meeting was attended by Principal Secretary of Transport Department P.W.C. Davidar, and Additional Secretary of Finance Department, R. Anandakumar, as well as union leaders from 47 transport workers’ unions.
So far, ₹1,250 crore has been sanctioned to meet the retirement benefits of transport employees and the entire dues for them are to be settled before September end. Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) leader A. Soundararajan said that pending issues in the new wage agreement were taken up for discussion. While the Minister has made some announcements regarding fringe benefits, it cannot be claimed as an achievement of the AIADMK government, he added.