Strike threat: Talks are on with Tasmac employees, minister says

ERODE: Talks were on with Tasmac employees who have announced an indefinite strike from Feb 17, housing, prohibition and excise minister S Muthusamy said on Monday. “Tasmac directors and general managers are holding talks with employees to find an amicable solution and to avert the announced strike,” the minister told reporters here. The employees’ demands include employment regularization, time-bound pay scales and pension benefits, among others.The minister denied AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami’s allegation that there was corruption to the tune of Rs 24,000 crore in Tasmac. The minister said, “If a small mistake is committed by one or two employees, we can’t say all 24,000 employees of Tasmac are involved in corruption. There is no widespread corruption. If EPS wants, we are ready to provide evidence. Let Palaniswami investigate." The minister was talking to reporters after attending an event to launch infrastructural projects at Chikkaiah Govt Arts and Science College here. Chief minister M K Stalin laid the foundation stone for a civil service training centre, a library and a playground on the college campus via video conference from Chennai. Also, the CM flagged off new buses of Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation.