Chennai: An MLA in Tamil Nadu's Erode district doubled up as a bus driver on Friday to help stranded commuters affected by the indefinite strike declared by transport workers demanding salary hike.
The MLA, KR Rajakrishnan, ferried a total of around 70 people from Andhiyur to Bhavani and back, covering a total distance of around 40 kilometers.
The MLA says he offered to step in to help people make their journey and avoid inconvenience to them. "I did not want public in my constituency to suffer. When I went for an inspection I saw people waiting for a bus to go to Bhavani. I took the bus with due clearance by authorities. I thought it was my duty to work for the people," said Mr Rajakrishnan, who is a first-time MLA from Andhiyur.
The MLA's effort, however, has not gone down well with local union leaders representing transport workers.
By Saturday evening the state government claimed restoration of 66% buses. The transport minister has ruled out any further hike after announcing a 2.44 % hike against the demand for 2.57 % .
Tamil Nadu Transport Minister MR Vijayabhaskar has appealed to striking bus employees to return to work. "Employees in other department get pay hike only once in 10 years unlike revision every three years for transport workers," he said.
More than two crore people use the 22,500 government buses every day in Tamil Nadu.
The MLA, KR Rajakrishnan, ferried a total of around 70 people from Andhiyur to Bhavani and back, covering a total distance of around 40 kilometers.
The MLA says he offered to step in to help people make their journey and avoid inconvenience to them. "I did not want public in my constituency to suffer. When I went for an inspection I saw people waiting for a bus to go to Bhavani. I took the bus with due clearance by authorities. I thought it was my duty to work for the people," said Mr Rajakrishnan, who is a first-time MLA from Andhiyur.
The MLA's effort, however, has not gone down well with local union leaders representing transport workers.
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By Saturday evening the state government claimed restoration of 66% buses. The transport minister has ruled out any further hike after announcing a 2.44 % hike against the demand for 2.57 % .
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Tamil Nadu Transport Minister MR Vijayabhaskar has appealed to striking bus employees to return to work. "Employees in other department get pay hike only once in 10 years unlike revision every three years for transport workers," he said.
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More than two crore people use the 22,500 government buses every day in Tamil Nadu.
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