The third day of the Tamil Nadu Assembly proceedings saw the MLAs spar over the salary hike bill and the transport strike that has crippled the state for a week now.
- The transport strike and the MLAs salary hike bill dominated proceedings on Day 3
- On Day 2, the Assembly saw a heated debate on the TN government’s handling of Cyclone Ockhi
- The Palanisami government said all measures were taken to warn fishermen before disaster struck
- On Day 1 of the Assembly, DMK and Congress MLAs demanded a floor test, saying AIADMK did not have requisite number of MLAs
New Bill to Directly Elect Leaders to Local Bodies on Day 4
The Tamil Nadu government has tabled a bill to directly elect Mayors, Municipal Chairpersons and Panchayat leaders. Until now, councillors would elect Mayors and chiefs following an amendment during Jayalalithaa's tenure.
SP Velumani, minister for municipal administration proposed that the direct election of leaders of local bodies will ensure better administration.
Stalin, Dhinakaran Oppose Salary Hike
The DMK raised objections to the bill in the house after it was introduced. “We are strongly opposing the draft which provides Salary hike for MLA's. At the time of the crisis if this govt passes the bill, people will laugh at us,” DMK working president MK Stalin said.
Reiterating the DMK’s stance on the issue, TTV Dhinakaran said: “I oppose 100 percent hike to MLAs. If it is a reasonable percentage it's fine. This is unnecessary when state is facing severe problems. I think this has been done to keep MLAs in good books in present situation”.
Assembly Discusses Bus Strike – But Barely
The TN government had stated that the finances of transport department were not strong enough to meet the wage hike demands of the striking transport union workers.
The strike has been going on for over six days now, with no solution in sight.
Commuters have been left in the lurch, with both the TN government and the transport unions refusing to compromise.
Draft Bill on Salary Hike for MLAs Tabled
CM Palanisami introduces the bill to the house. DMK and TTV MLAs opposed the draft proposal that falls under the Tamil Nadu Payment of Salaries Amendment Bill, 2018.
Pending dues of Rs 750 crore will be paid to retired workers before Pongal, the CM said.