INTUC groups merge

Chennai, Dec 22 (UNI) INTUC's Tamil Nadu state unit, which split during the May 2006 Assembly poll, today merged with the state leadership at the prompting of All India INTUC President Sanjeeva Reddy, senior Congress Leader and Union Minister G K Vasan, TNCC President M Krishnassamy and others.

It might be recalled that the INTUC group, led by General Secretary G Kalan forged an alliance with the AIADMK and contested two Assembly seats in the May 2006 elections, while the group led by Tamil Nadu INTUC President P L Subbaiah stayed with the DPA alliance led by DMK.

The formal merger took place at the State Special Executive meeting of INTUC held here today.

Briefing reporters on the deliberations, Mr Kalan said it was decided to work jointly hereafter for the sake of employees welfare and to aid the growth of the Congress party in the state.

He said the meeting wanted the Central and state governments to check the price hike on essential commodities by distributing them through fair price shops and give proper representation for trade unions, especially INTUC, in Central and state undertakings.

It also urged the Union Government to amend the Bonus Act and remove ceilings.

The meeting wanted special legislation to protect the interests of building workers, unorganised and agricultural labourers and to prevent the entry of Foreign Direct Investors into India.

The meeting reelected P L Subbaiah as president, G Kalan as General Secretary and other office bearers.

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