Chennai, July 04: The strike by Tamil Nadu government employees and teachers entered the third day today even as the state government went ahead with its plans for recruiting temporary staff to fill vacancies arising from suspension of those on agitation. Over 1200 striking employees had already been arrested after the government invoked the provisions of ESMA, official sources said, adding more arrests were being made in different parts of the state. Despite the government's warning of having to face suspension and dismissal, majority of the employees continued to stay away from offices, spokesman of the organisations spearheading the stir said. The Joint Action Council of Teachers Associations and Government Employees Organisations (Jactteo-Geo) and Confederation of Teachers Organisation and Government Employees Associations (Cota-Geo) have threatened to intensify the struggle from next week by resorting to picketing. Official sources said temporary recruits would be deployed in important government offices like district collectorates and Taluk offices and paid a consolidated salary of Rs 5,000 per month. The government proposed to recruit 10,000 temporary staff before Sunday.

The agitators were demanding full cash payment of gratuity and encashment of earned leave, restoration of bonus for 'Pongal', cash payment of entire additional DA of four per cent sanctioned in October last, and payment of 60 per cent arrears of pay, allowance and pensions, impounded in 1998.
Bureau Report