The BJP state president K Annamalai expressed surprise that Chief Minister Stalin’s announcement about free bus travel for policemen within their working district has not been relayed to the transport corporations, even after three years.

The incident involved a policeman who boarded a government bus heading to Thoothukudi via Tirunelveli at the Nanguneri court. When the conductor asked the constable for a ticket, the policeman argued that, as a government employee, he was entitled to free travel, a sentiment echoed by other government employees on board.

The conductor insisted that policemen need a warrant to travel for free; otherwise, they must buy a ticket. The policeman refused and an argument ensued, with the exchange being captured on video and spreading widely on social media.

In response, the transport department issued a statement clarifying that policemen cannot travel on government buses without paying unless they have a warrant. They reiterated that policemen must purchase tickets if they don’t have a warrant and recommended departmental action against the Nanguneri policeman involved.

https://twitter.com/arasubus/status/1793182918908793191

Condemning the transport department’s action, Annamalai criticized the lack of communication regarding the free travel policy, noting that it has been three years since the Chief Minister’s announcement.

உள்துறை மானியக் கோரிக்கை விவாதங்களின்மீது பதிலுரையாற்றி, தமிழ்நாட்டு மக்களின் அமைதியான வாழ்க்கைக்கு அடித்தளம் அமைத்துத் தரும் பொறுப்புடைய நமது காவல்துறை ஒளிபெறவும் வழிகாட்டவும் தேவையான பல்வேறு அறிவிப்புகளை வெளியிட்டேன்.

சட்டத்தின் ஆட்சியில் தமிழ்நாடு முதலிடம் என்பதே நம் இலக்கு! pic.twitter.com/W8df7XhOBl

— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) September 13, 2021

In this regard,  Annamalai in his official X handle stated that, “In the grant request for the year 2021-2022, when Chief Minister Stalin himself has announced free travel in buses within the working district, how is it justified to harass policeman Arumuga pandi like this?”

“It is surprising that even after three years the notification of the Chief Minister’s demand for grants has not been communicated to the transport corporations. I would like to advise to inform all the District Transport Corporations immediately about this announcement and immediately implement the announcement of free bus travel for policemen in the working districts across Tamil Nadu, and I insist that no action including departmental action should be taken against Policeman Arumugapandi.”

கடந்த 2021 – 2022 ஆண்டுக்கான மானியக் கோரிக்கையில், பணி செய்யும் மாவட்டத்துக்குள் பேருந்துகளில் இலவசப் பயணம் என்று, முதலமைச்சர் ஸ்டாலின் அவர்களே அறிவித்துள்ள நிலையில், காவலர் திரு. ஆறுமுகப்பாண்டி அவர்களை, இது போன்று துன்புறுத்துவது எந்த விதத்தில் நியாயம்?

முதலமைச்சரின் இந்த… https://t.co/FKV6dgfCmO

— K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) May 22, 2024

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The post BJP State President Annamalai Calls For Immediate Implementation Of Free Bus Travel Policy For Policemen As Announced By DMK In 2021-22 appeared first on The Commune.

The Transport Department in Tamil Nadu is currently grappling with challenges on multiple fronts, facing criticism from its own TNSTC employees who are pressing for unresolved demands such as pensions and the release of dearness allowance. On another front, following the construction of the Kalaignar Centenary Bus Terminus (KCBT), there is an ongoing dispute among omni bus owners regarding parking facilities and the determination of pickup and drop-off locations. Simultaneously, commuters accessing the bus stand are expressing their frustration.

In this complex situation, the Stalin-led DMK government of Tamil Nadu issued a directive to omnibus owners, insisting that they adhere to picking up and dropping off passengers at only three designated locations.

The Transport Commissioner has issued a warning specifying that omnibuses traveling from Chennai to southern districts are permitted to pick up and drop off passengers exclusively at Porur toll plaza, Surapattu toll plaza, and Kilambakkam bus terminal.

The Kilambakkam bus stand was inaugurated on 30 December 2023. However, omni bus owners expressed their reluctance to operate from the new terminal, citing inadequate facilities. Despite unsuccessful negotiations with the government administration, the omni bus owners sought legal recourse by filing a case in the High Court on behalf of the Private Omni Bus Owners Association.

Claiming insufficient parking facilities at Kilambakkam, the bus owners requested permission to pick up and drop passengers within the city for passenger convenience. While asserting that only omnibuses would operate from Koyambedu bus stand, the Madras High Court granted their request and instructed them to pick up and drop passengers at designated points around Koyambedu until further notice on the 9th of the month. Furthermore, Justice RN Manjula postponed the hearing to 15 April 2024, stipulating that passengers should be picked up and alighted exclusively at Porur toll plaza, Surapattu toll plaza, and Kilambakkam bus terminal. The court also emphasized that omnibuses traveling to southern districts should not ply without heading to Kilambakkam bus stand.

The owners of omnibuses sought relief from the Supreme Court, but their appeal was dismissed, challenging the directive issued by the Madras High Court. The order mandates that all southbound Omni buses are prohibited from picking up and dropping off passengers at any location other than the designated ones.

In this backdrop, the Transport Commissioner issued a stern warning, stating, “Owners of omnibuses traveling from Chennai to southern districts must strictly adhere to picking up and dropping passengers only at Porur, Surappattu, and Kilambakkam bus stations. This directive is in line with the Supreme Court verdict. Any violation will result in strict action against Omni buses, including the filing of a contempt of court case. Additionally, these three locations should not be misrepresented in ticket booking software and applications such as Red Bus, Abhi Bus, etc., to avoid confusion among the public. Severe consequences will be imposed on Omni buses found violating this instruction. Omni bus owners themselves will be held fully responsible for any inconvenience caused to the public due to their actions in violation of this directive,” he cautioned.

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The post DMK Govt Issues Directive To Omnibus Owners For Passenger Pick-up And Drop-off Only At Three Designated Locations appeared first on The Commune.

In October 2023, the allegations of corruption within the State Transport Department came to light after political commentator Savukku Shankar filed a complaint with the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption.

The complaint centred around DMK Transport Minister SS Sivasankar and his aide’s alleged involvement in the operation of highway restaurants that cater to Tamil Nadu’s Transport Corporation buses. 

As of 12 December 2023, two such highway restaurants’ licenses have been revoked citing non-payment of parking fees.

Condemning the lack of action, Tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Party Chief, K Annamalai posted on his X handle slamming the DMK government over allegations of corruption.

He wrote, “As the agreement which was supposed to be held last September regarding the stopping of government buses at the restaurants located on the highways across Tamil Nadu, has not been done till today, the highway restaurant operators who have invested heavily have been greatly affected. It is learned that the Tamil Nadu Transport Minister and his assistants have collected bribes from many restaurant owners and stopped these contracts from being executed to facilitate the parking of buses only at their restaurants. Through this, the people who have been running restaurants on the highways for so many years and the related workers have lost their livelihood. After repeatedly contacting the minister and authorities, but there was no action, the restaurant owners raised this issue among the people through a journalist. Enraged by this, Transport Minister Sivashankar cancelled the licences of those restaurants. The licences of two restaurants have been cancelled so far.

He further added “This decision of the minister, who has not taken action against the assistants who took bribes and the officials who delayed the execution of the contract, but who lost their livelihood and brought problems among the people, this decision of the minister, ‘If the minister and others make mistakes, they should be ignored, if they say them in public, action should be taken against those who complained. ‘We will deprive them of their livelihood’ seems to be a warning to everyone. How many more peoples’ livelihoods has Minister Sivashankar, who is already drowning in Rs 2,000 crore corruption, decided to deprive of? It would be good if the minister realises that many of the ministers arrogant with their power have been put in their place today.”

தமிழகம் முழுவதும் நெடுஞ்சாலைகளில் அமைந்துள்ள உணவகங்களில், அரசுப் பேருந்துகள் நிறுத்திச் செல்வது தொடர்பாக, கடந்த செப்டம்பர் மாதம் நடைபெற வேண்டிய ஒப்பந்தம், இன்று வரையில் நடைபெறாமல் இருப்பதால், பெரும் முதலீடு செய்துள்ள நெடுஞ்சாலை உணவகம் நடத்துபவர்கள் பெரிதும் பாதிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளனர்.… pic.twitter.com/7XFrC7knJI

— K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) December 15, 2023

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The post TN BJP Chief Annamalai Slams DMK Transport Min Over Highway Restaurant Licence Cancellation appeared first on The Commune.

In an interesting development, political commentator Savukku Shankar filed a formal complaint with the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption, calling for a thorough investigation into alleged corruption within the state’s Transport Department. The complaint centres around DMK Transport Minister SS Sivasankar and his aide’s alleged involvement in the operation of highway restaurants that cater to Tamil Nadu’s Transport Corporation buses.

Speaking to the press after filing the complaint, Shankar revealed that the Tamil Nadu Government’s Transport Department conducts a biennial (every 2 years) auction, allowing restaurants along the state’s highways to provide food and snacks to Transport Corporation bus driver, conductor and passengers. To participate in these auctions, highway restaurant owners are required to submit tender applications to the Tamil Nadu Government’s State Express Transport Corporation (SETC).

Addressed the media after filing complaint in DVAC against Transport Minister SS Sivasankar. pic.twitter.com/MAQnCDG84D

— Savukku Shankar (@SavukkuOfficial) October 12, 2023

He explained that the tender process involves restaurant owners paying a fee to the Transport Corporation for buses to stop at their establishments. The government typically awards the tender to the highest bidder, and the selected restaurant owners pay this predetermined fee each year. During the previous administration led by AIADMK, these fees were set at ₹102 for Express Transport Corporation buses and ₹62 for regular Transport Corporation buses.

It has come to light that, after Minister Rajakannappan assumed office, the Transport Corporation reduced these fees from ₹102 to ₹75 for Express Transport Corporation buses and from ₹62 to ₹50 for regular buses. Allegedly, the remaining amount of ₹12 per bus for the former and ₹55 for the latter was diverted as bribes to Rajakannappan.

Similar practices continued under the current administration. For instance, Express Transport Corporation bus fees were reduced from ₹102 to ₹75, with the difference allegedly being funnelled as a bribe. When SS Sivashankar took over as Transport Minister, new tenders were floated for the highway restaurants. Shankar alleges that one Thangavel reportedly acted as a broker for Louis Kathiravan, Minister Sivasankar’s PA who is allegedly the proxy/benami for the minister. 

Thangavel allegedly informed restaurant owners that he could arrange meetings with the minister to secure their tenders. He reportedly advised them to register for tenders at specific prices he indicated. Additionally, Thangavel is alleged to have accepted bribes electronically through Google Pay, with various restaurant owners reportedly paying amounts ranging from ₹20,000 to ₹50,000 and potentially more. He alleges that this person has received bribes electronically quoting the minister’s name. 

Savukku said that even though this was an e-tender, all 29 hotel owners submitted their application from the same IP address which he says is from a hotel named Noor Malah near a toll plaza. He also alleges that the tender price was inflated and registered just a day before the tender closing date by the benami. More information regarding this aspect of the case is expected to surface soon.

In his complaint, Shankar insists that corruption has tainted the tender process for government buses stopping at highway department restaurants, and he urges the authorities to take decisive action. He names Minister Sivashankar, his PA Louie Kathiravan, hotel owner Shankar, and his assistant Thangavel as individuals who should be investigated under the Anti-Corruption/anti-bribery laws.

Did all the channels cover this serious allegation against the transport minister ? They don’t find this news worthy ? Btw gpay ? Seriously pic.twitter.com/IFnpahYdCv

— karthik gopinath (@karthikgnath) October 12, 2023

During the press conference, Shankar said he had filed complaints against DMK Liquor Minister Senthil Balaji, he also filed complaints on allowing illegal early morning shows for films like Varisu and Thunivu against Chief Minister Stalin and Sports Minister, Udhayanidhi Stalin. He accused the Anti-Corruption Department of working in favour of the ruling party and pointed out the fact that this was said by the Madras High Court’s prior scrutiny of the department’s actions in various cases. He also pledged to take legal action if the Anti-Corruption Department does not pursue a case against Minister Sivashankar and his associates.

(With inputs from Savukku Online)

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The post “Bribe Through G Pay”: ‘Savukku’ Shankar Alleges Corruption In Tamil Nadu’s Highway Restaurant Tender Process appeared first on The Commune.

Hundreds of retired transport employees besieged the corporations’ head offices in Chennai, Villupuram, Madurai, and other parts of the state, demanding that the corporations pay them the revised dearness allowance (DA) and release their pending retirement benefits.

Protesters occupying MTC headquarters on Pallavan Salai claimed that the final settlement for those who retired in 2016 had not yet been paid in full. They also claimed that the DA for pensioners was not increased to the same level as that for retired central government employees.

Several stages of protests were held by transport department employees during the previous AIADMK regime, demanding that government transport workers be paid Dearness Allowance, which has been discontinued since 2016.

MK Stalin, the then-opposition leader of Tamil Nadu, promised the transport department employee that if they were elected to power, they would provide them the Dearness allowance that was stopped. However, even after many months of DMK rule, the demand has not been met. Protesting the DMK government’s inaction after being elected, retired State Transport Corporation employees besieged the State Transport Corporation zonal office and staged a road blockade.

In a similar protest in Trichy, the Collectorate Road was completely blocked. The police, who had received the information, rushed in and negotiated with the protestors, forcing them to abandon their protest. As a result, traffic in the district was disrupted for over an hour.

In Coimbatore, police arrested 875 retired government transport employees who were on strike, demanding payment of benefits on their retirement day. They besieged the Government Transport Head Office on Mettupalayam Road and staged a protest.

Protesters stated that demonstrations were held in 9 government transport zones across the state, condemning the Tamil Nadu government for failing to implement a High Court order directing to provide DA for 87 months and for appealing the High Court order against the transport workers.

(With inputs from Thanthi and Malaimurasu)

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The post Ex Transport Staffs Protest Across State Urging Stalin To Fulfill His Election Promise appeared first on The Commune.