Tamil Nadu association demands regularization for 3,407 employees

A welfare association in Tamil Nadu has asked the state government to regularize the jobs of 3,407 non-muster roll employees in the Water Resources Department. These workers have been employed for a long time, some for up to 25 years, but are still not permanent staff. The association's president, R. Ravichandran, sent a petition to the department, emphasizing the importance of these workers. They perform tasks similar to Laskars, including managing water releases for farmers' irrigation needs. Ravichandran noted that many NMR employees have retired or passed away without receiving full benefits. A government order from December 2019 set a minimum wage for these workers, but many feel they are neglected compared to those on a regular payroll. The association expresses concern over the unfair treatment of long-term NMR employees. They are calling for changes to ensure all workers receive recognition and benefits for their years of service.