Lt Governor, CM appeal to employees to call off strike

Puducherry, Sep 21 (UNI) Puducherry Lt Governor Mukut Mithi and Chief Minister N Rangasamy today renewed their appeal to the striking Jipmer employees to call off their stir in the larger interest of the public, as the strike entered its 14th day today.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister N Rangasamy, who held discussions with a group of striking employees, appealed them to call off the strike.

He assured them to make necessary arrangements for a delegation of striking employees to meet representatives at the Centre to discuss and sort out their problems.

The employees demanded that the cases against 71 employees be dropped and the suspension order on 26 employees be revoked.

They said a meeting would be held soon with the employees to discuss about calling off the strike.

Meanwhile, Puducherry Tourism Minister Malladi Krishna Rao came down heavily on PMK founder leader Dr S Ramdoss for his attack on the Chief Minister.

Mr Rao told newspersons that a few days back Mr Ramdoss had appreciated Mr Rangasamy for several schemes introduced here and right now he was attacking him.

He said as Jipmer was a central government institution, the Chief Minister could not intervene.

He alleged that several family members of Dr Ramdoss were holding many posts in government institutions.

Strongly criticising Dr Ramdoss, AIADMK State Secretary A Anbazhagan said Dr Ramdoss had no right to criticise AIADMK supremo Ms Jayalalitha.

He alleged that the PMK had thrown their promise, that the status of Jimper would not be changed, in the winds.

Pointing out Dr Ramdoss's remark that Mr Rangasamy was not fit for the Chief Minister's post, Mr Anbazhagan said if the case was so the PMK should withdraw it's support to the government.

PMK Parliamentary Party Leader Prof M Ramadass, in a statement criticised Ms Jayalalitha for her remarks on the JIPMER issue and said she does not know the fact on JIPMER.

The Centre was just trying to make Jipmer one among the best national institutions.

He urged the employees to call off their agitation.

EDS: Pickup suitably from earlier series.

UNI PAB AJ SI KN1558