The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Act tough with striking truckers: Ramadoss

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Monday, Jan 12, 2009
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Tamil Nadu

Act tough with striking truckers: Ramadoss

Special Correspondent

VILLUPURAM: If the striking truckers are not amenable to talks, the government should seize all lorries and goods carriers and run them, said S. Ramadoss, founder of the Pattali Makkal Katchi, on Sunday.

Such a measure will not be a problem. All the government has to do is revive the Goods Transport Corporation it was running earlier, he said.

The lorry strike that entered the seventh day was causing great hardship to people. The government should not stand on prestige and truckers not remain adamant in their stand, Dr. Ramadoss told a press conference at Thailapuram.

The PMK leader said the Election Commission, which had introduced many reforms in the electoral system, should consider introducing compulsory voting by eligible citizens. Such a system existed in Australia, Argentina, Brazil and Belgium. The Commission should study the process in these countries and frame rules and regulations for implementing it. If such a procedure came into force there would not be any need for virulent campaign by political parties and tension among the electorate as was witnessed during the run-up to the Thirumangalam by-election.

He appealed to political parties to give a thought to the PMK’s suggestion that whenever an Assembly seat fell vacant, by-election should not be held. Instead, the seat should be handed over to the party that had won it in the general election.

Eelam issue

On the Eelam issue, the UPA government should go by the assurance given in the Common Minimum Programme (CMP), he said.

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