Tasmac Strike Negotiations Intensify as Minister Addresses Corruption Claims
ERODE: Tamil Nadu's Housing, Prohibition and Excise Minister S Muthusamy announced on Monday that active negotiations are underway with Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (Tasmac) employees who have declared an indefinite strike scheduled to commence from February 17. The minister emphasized that both Tasmac directors and general managers are engaged in continuous dialogue with employee representatives to reach an amicable settlement and prevent the impending industrial action.
Employee Demands and Negotiation Efforts
The protesting Tasmac employees have presented several key demands that form the basis of their planned strike. These include:
- Regularization of employment status for contract workers
- Implementation of time-bound pay scales with proper increments
- Comprehensive pension benefits and retirement security
- Improved working conditions across Tasmac outlets statewide
Minister Muthusamy stated, "Our administration is committed to finding a balanced solution that addresses legitimate employee concerns while ensuring uninterrupted service to the public. The negotiation teams are working diligently to resolve these matters before the strike deadline."
Minister Refutes Corruption Allegations
In a significant development, Minister Muthusamy strongly denied corruption allegations leveled by AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami, who claimed irregularities amounting to Rs 24,000 crore within Tasmac operations. The minister provided a detailed rebuttal, stating that isolated incidents involving individual employees should not be generalized to implicate the entire organization.
"If a small mistake is committed by one or two employees, we cannot extrapolate that to suggest all 24,000 Tasmac employees are involved in corruption," Muthusamy clarified. "There is no evidence of widespread corruption within the corporation. Our administration maintains transparency and accountability in all operations."
The minister further challenged the opposition leader, stating, "If Edappadi K Palaniswami genuinely believes these allegations, we are prepared to provide complete documentation and evidence. Let him conduct a proper investigation rather than making unsubstantiated claims."
Infrastructure Development Event
Minister Muthusamy made these statements while speaking to reporters after attending a significant infrastructure development ceremony at Chikkaiah Government Arts and Science College in Erode. The event marked the launch of multiple educational infrastructure projects, with Chief Minister M K Stalin participating via video conference from Chennai.
The inaugurated projects include:
- A state-of-the-art civil service training center designed to enhance administrative capabilities
- A modern library facility with digital resources and research materials
- A comprehensive playground for sports and recreational activities
Additionally, Chief Minister Stalin officially flagged off new buses for the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation, emphasizing the government's commitment to improving public transportation infrastructure across the state.
Broader Implications and Next Steps
The Tasmac negotiations carry significant economic implications, as the corporation plays a crucial role in Tamil Nadu's excise revenue generation. A successful strike could potentially disrupt operations across thousands of retail outlets, affecting both government revenue and consumer access.
Minister Muthusamy assured that the government is taking a proactive approach to resolve the labor dispute while maintaining operational continuity. "We recognize the legitimate concerns of our employees and are working systematically to address them within the framework of our administrative policies and financial constraints," he concluded.
The coming days will be critical as negotiation teams work against the February 17 deadline to prevent what could become one of Tamil Nadu's most significant labor actions in recent years, while the government continues to defend its record against opposition allegations of financial mismanagement.
