Tamil Nadu - Coimbatore   

Simplify procedures for postal ballot, say Govt. employees

Staff Reporter

`Provide applications to staff during training or while on election duty'

Coimbatore: Tamil Nadu Government Employees Union (TNGEU) has urged authorities to simplify cumbersome procedures in getting postal ballots for the Government staff drafted for election duty.

Voting pattern

The State president of the TNGEU, K. Balasubramanian, told reporters that of the 12 lakh Government employees across the State, nearly 3.5 lakhs were drafted for election duty. Due to the cumbersome procedures and the fear that their voting pattern might be verified, most of the Government servants on election duty fail to discharge their democratic duty.

Instead of asking the staff to apply to their department heads seeking permission and then avail themselves of postal ballots, TNGEU suggested that at the time of serving orders for election duty or at least at the time of going through election training, the staff should be given applications for postal ballot.

Similarly, he sought enhancement of the remuneration given to these staff for their election duty as the rates were fixed 10 years ago. For those on duty at far-off places, he sought travelling and dearness allowance.

Follow suit

Pointing out to the three per cent additional DA announced by the Centre with effect from January 1, 2006, Mr. Balasubramanian said the State Government should follow suit.

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