Buses off roads in TN

Normal life was affected across Tamil Nadu as government buses were off the roads following an indefinite strike called by more than 40 trade unions of the State Express Transport Corporation.

The bandh was announced on Sunday night after talks with Transport Minister M R Vijayabaskar over pending salaries and settlement of benefits to retired staff, including PF benefits, failed.

Thousands of people were left stranded in several districts since Monday morning as most of the state-owned buses were off the roads.

However, associations affiliated to the ruling AIADMK operated the bus services as usual and the authorities were trying their level best to ensure that normal services were maintained.

“Only about 30% of the government bus service was active,” a senior official from transport department said. He said private buses were engaged to fulfil the demand gap.