Over 500 transport pensioners staged a protest in Coimbatore, demanding a 14-month dearness allowance hike and implementation of court orders. The demonstration caused traffic disruptions on Mettupalayam Road.
Coimbatore: Transport pensioners staged a protest in front of the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) regional office on Mettupalayam Road in Coimbatore, causing significant commotion in the area. The demonstration was part of a statewide agitation to press for various demands.
More than 500 pensioners gathered to emphasize their 10-point charter of demands, including the implementation of a 14-month dearness allowance hike, full execution of court orders, immediate disbursement of monetary benefits due from December 2022, and the reinstatement of the old pension scheme.
The protestors raised slogans and questioned the state government's financial priorities. They criticized the government for citing financial constraints as a reason for not meeting their demands while allocating funds for other schemes. The pensioners specifically mentioned the government's ability to provide Rs. 10 lakh compensation to victims of the Kallakurichi spurious liquor incident, asking if funds were available for such compensations but not for their rightful benefits.
Furthermore, the demonstrators expressed their dissatisfaction with the government's allocation of funds for schemes like the women's rights amount and free bus travel while denying their financial dues. As the protest continued, the pensioners sat on the road, raising slogans and presenting their demands.
The demonstration, which lasted for over half an hour, caused significant traffic disruptions on Mettupalayam Road.
Consequently, the police intervened and arrested more than 500 protesters to restore normal traffic flow in the area.