The boat operators attached to the boat houses of the Pondicherry Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) at Chunamber in Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam have threatened to go on a strike on August 15 and 16 to press the government for settlement of their services-related demands.
The boat drivers numbering around 30 in the UT are seeking equal grade pay along with vehicle drivers in the PTDC. According to R Gajapathy, general secretary of the association of boat drivers, Grade-III pay was Rs 1,900, but boat driver were given Rs 1,800, Grade-II pay was Rs 2,400, but the same was Rs 1,900 for the boat drivers and for Grade-I pay was `2,800, while the boat drivers were getting Rs 2,000. Gajapathy said that though the board of directors of the PTDC had decided to provide equal grade pay, the boat drivers were being given lower pay.
Both the days being holidays, August 15 being the India’s Independence Day and August 16 being Puducherry Independence Day, the boat houses attract tourists and the locals rush to enjoy the boating. Taking advantage of this, the boatmen had decided it to be the best time to get a commitment from the government.
After completion of 20 years of service, the boatmen regret that there was no promotional avenues and hence wanted the PTDC to provide equal grade pay as fixed on the basis of recommendations of 6th pay commission. Already the boatmen had conducted protests and agitations in May, following which the corporation assured to consider it, but so far it had not materialized, Gajapathy said.
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