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N Sathiya Moorthy in Chennai
Even as the Tamil Nadu government employees and teachers intensified their indefinite stir to press for their 19-point charter of demands, including Diwali bonuses, Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa announced a Diwali 'gift hamper' to be given to 10 lakh farm workers in the Cauvery basin in the state.
The gift hamper, each valued at Rs 210, would contains 10 kg of rice, one kilo sugar, 250 grams of sweets, 100 grams of ghee, apart from vegetables, pulses and spices, and Rs 50 in cash.
The hamper is only for those farmers whose short-term Kuruvai crop have failed. This scheme would cost the government Rs 21 crore [approximately US $4 million] Jayalalithaa said.
Meanwhile, the striking government employees and teachers staged dharnas outside taluk-level government offices across the state and are planning similar dharnas at the district-level on Wednesday.
They have charged the police with sealing their trade union offices and arresting their leaders under the Essential Services Maintenance Act.
The issue rocked the assembly with Speaker K Kalimuthu ordering the eviction of the Dravid Munnetra Kazhagam members when they disrupted the proceedings.
Jayalalithaa cited financial strain on the government and called upon the strikers to return to work. She also assured the assembly that none of the striking employees have been detained under ESMA.
Only 15 persons who had prevented others from joining work, or those who had abused women employees in the process have been detained, she said. "It is not the intention of the government to victimise anyone."
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