20,000 employees march for old pension scheme
CHENNAI: Nearly 20,000 teachers and government employees from the Joint Action Council of Teachers Organisation-Government Employees Organisation (JACTO-GEO) staged a demonstration near the State Guest House at Chepauk here on Saturday in support of their demands which included scrapping of the new pension scheme.
In view of the demonstration, the road from Marina to Walajah Road was completely blocked creating a heavy traffic jam in the surrounding areas.
According to J Ganesan, coordinator of JACTO-GEO, nearly 40 teachers’ associations and associations of government employees participated in the demonstration. Several political leaders were also present.
“We want the government to scrap the new pension scheme. We have been urging the government for a long time to form the Eighth Pay Commission and implement its recommendations.
Till the suggestions are implemented, the government should give 20 per cent interim relief. Anomalies in pay-scales should be rectified.
Ganesan alleged that police prevented members from participating in the demonstration. They were stopped at various places of the State when they were on their way to take part in the demonstration, he said.