Chennai, Oct 23: The indefinite strike by a section of Tamil Nadu government employees and teachers, which began throughout the state today, evoked a "partial" response, official sources said. Employees, teachers and transport workers, owing allegiance to the striking trade unions, like CITU, AITUC and Labour Progressive Front, abstained from their work spots, they said.
"The situation is absolutely peaceful. All the buses are plying. Nearly 80 per cent of the auto rickshaws and taxis are on roads," sources said adding, attendance in government offices was "near total", except in "union-oriented offices" where it was "poor". Normal life was not at all affected, they said.
Meanwhile, chief minister Jayalalithaa, told reporters at the secretariat that the strike had "not affected normal life in any way". All essential services like power, milk and water supplies were maintained.
The government has warned that it would invoke Essential Services Maintenance Act (Esma) against the striking employees and that the rule of "dies non" would be applied.
Employees owing allegiance to the joint action council of Tamil Nadu teachers and employees organisations and government employees organisations (Jactteo-Geo) had decided to go on strike from today. Bureau Report