TN This Week: Transport Unions Oppose Stretching Period of Wage Pact

Several garment units in Tirupur are dysfunctional due to the continued steep hike in yarn prices. The knitwear hub of India is in a tough situation as it cannot execute international orders. Exporters fear this would lead to the market going elsewhere in the coming days.

Adding to his list of controversial statements, Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi, on August 25, claimed missionaries during the British rule in India presented a de-spiritualised English version of the Tamil classic 'Thirukkural'.

Popular YouTube personality 'Savukku' Shankar was restrained by the Madras High Court on August 23 from making defamatory statements against Tamil Nadu Electricity Minister V Senthil Balaji. The court was passing interim orders on an application arising out of a civil suit from Balaji.

G Meenakshi, the editor of Rani magazine and writer Kalimuthu have been shortlisted for Bala Puraskar Award and Yuva Puraskar Award, respectively, by the Sahitya Akademi.

NewsClick brings you a round-up of the happenings this week in Tamil Nadu.

TRANSPORT UNIONS UNHAPPY

Members of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) and All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) of Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) staged demonstrations in various places in protest against the 'unilateral' decision of the State government to increase the wage settlement period from three years to four years.

The decision was taken after the 7th round of negotiations with representatives of 66 trade unions.

The Tamil Nadu government, on August 24, finalised the 14th wage revision agreement for the State Transport Corporation employees.

EPS SLAMS DMK GOVT

Tamil Nadu has witnessed as many as 15 murders in the past 36 hours, leader of opposition K Palaniswami said on August 24 and alleged that the police department under Chief Minister M K Stalin is ineffective.

In another issue, Palaniswami declared that All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) would organise a hunger strike if the proposed Integrated bus terminus in Coimbatore is shifted from Vellalore.

He said that more than 50% of the works were completed at the site, and the government has planned to shift the project for the benefit of a few real estate owners.

Meanwhile, regarding the legal battle in the party, Palaniswami described the single judge's order restoring the status quo ante as on June 23 as "extraordinary" because it was beyond the prayer. He urged a division bench of the Madras High Court to overturn the order.

STATE RELEASES LGBTQIA+ GLOSSARY

The Tamil Nadu government has issued a glossary, as suggested by the Madras High Court, as to how the persons belonging to the LGBTQIA+ should be addressed/described. It was published in the Tamil Nadu government gazette of the Social Welfare and Women Empowerment department on August 20.

Notably, this is the first time in India a state government has issued such a glossary in the local language in the government gazette.

GOVT'S NEW OFFER FOR LAND TO AIRPORT

The Tamil Nadu government, on August 26, offered 3.5 times the market value for acquiring land for building Chennai's new greenfield airport. This is besides an alternate land for relocation and a job for one member of each family affected by the project.

The offer was made to the people of 13 villages in and around Parandur in the Kanchipuram district after they protested against the proposed airport in their villages.

GOVT POLICY ON LEATHER PRODUCTS

The Tamil Nadu government signed five memoranda of understanding (MoUs) for an investment worth Rs 2,250 crore in the footwear and leather sector on August 23. On the occasion, Chief Minister MK Stalin unveiled the 'Tamil Nadu Footwear and Leather Products Policy 2022'.

The policy aims to attract Rs 20,000 crore investment in the leather sector by 2025 and create employment opportunities for 2 lakh people.