CHENNAI: Members of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the Communist Party of India on Tuesday crossed swords with the Treasury Benches in the Assembly on issues relating to trade unions collecting funds from workers.

It all began when CPI (M) leader J. Hemachandran criticised the manner in which the wage revision was announced for workers of State Transport Corporations (STCs).

He was participating in a discussion on the first supplementary Statement of Expenditure for 2005-2006.

Mr. Hemachandran said the Government had deprived the STC workers of their right to collective bargaining.

Intervening in the debate, Transport Minister R. Viswanathan said some trade unions had been finding fault with the Government for extending the wage accord to five years. But they had signed wage agreements in some Central Government undertakings where the validity of the accords was ten years.

He claimed that a majority of trade unions in the transport sector had signed the accord. Even while keeping themselves away from the accord, some unions collected funds from the beneficiaries. Following requests from the workers, the Government had paid the dues by cheque, he said.

Mr. Viswanathan's remarks evoked protests from communist members, including Mr. Hemachandran and CPI leader G. Palanichamy.

Nothing wrong in collecting funds

They argued there was nothing wrong in trade unions collecting subscriptions and funds from workers.

Mr. Palanichamy said the Minister, who was "not aware of the history of the trade union movement right from the pre-Independence era, was levelling a baseless allegation."

Mr. Hemachandran said the Minister's remark betrayed the Government's plan to "paralyse" the trade union movement.

He dared Mr. Viswananthan to prove that the unions indulged in coercive collection of funds.

Denying the claim, Mr. Viswanathan said the communist members were attempting to "sidetrack the issue."

The Government was not opposed to collection of subscription.

V. Sivapunniam (CPI) demanded urgent measures to provide crop loan to the farmers in the delta region for taking up `samba' cultivation.

Welcoming the Government's decision to implement a comprehensive social security scheme for agricultural workers and small and marginal farmers, he sought the setting up of a welfare board to implement it.

Anwar Razza (All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam) highlighted the problems faced by Indian fishermen in the Palk Straits and demanded the Centre should assert their right over Katchatheevu.

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