PUDUCHERRY: Political parties and their leaders have come out in one voice against the Territorial government for non-payment of salaries for several months for employees of government corporations, cooperatives and other organisations and sought payment at least during Deepavali.
PAPSCO employees had not received a salary for the last five months, PASIC for the last 15 months, Krishi Vigyan Kendra for 11 months, Pontex and Ponlait for seven months, Texpro for 18 months, breakfast scheme workers for 10 months, cooperative sugar mill, Lingareddipalayam, Housing Board and Anganwadis for two months.
The Congress, AIADMK, DMK, CPI and CPM have been asking the government to pay salary dues to its staff. Leader of Opposition V Vaithilingam said the government should pay the pending salary to its staff, before the festival at least.
Families of employees were living in great difficulty. With just four days left for Deepavali, government needs to act fast, said V Perumal, CPM State secretary. AIADMK MLA Anbazhagan was among the first to demand disbursal of salary and bonus to employees, citing the payment of bonus already made by Tamil Nadu govenment to its staff.