In an effort to de-escalate rising tensions with state workers, Tamil Nadu School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi has signalled that a major announcement regarding government employee demands is imminent.
Speaking to the press in Tiruchi, the minister said that Chief Minister MK Stalin is expected to deliver a "positive decision" by January 6, 2026.
The timing of this promised announcement is no coincidence. January 6 marks the deadline set by government teachers and employee unions, who have threatened to go on indefinite strike if their grievances are not met.
At the heart of the conflict is the long-standing demand for the reinstatement of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), along with other workplace benefits that have been the subject of heated debate for months.
"The Chief Minister intends to deliver good news before the unions' deadline," Mahesh told reporters, suggesting that the state leadership is currently refining proposals to address these core concerns.
The minister's remarks follow a series of negotiations between a high-level ministerial committee and employee associations which were unsuccessful.
By setting a specific date for a resolution, the government appears to be making a last-ditch attempt to buy time and maintain administrative stability as the new year begins.
Although the details of the “good news” are not known, the gravity of the situation is not to be underestimated. Union representatives and workers are now in the “wait and watch” mode. For the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam-led government, the problem is how to handle the substantial impact of rejoining the Old Pension Scheme while still harvesting the support of the state’s workers.
Also read: Tamil Nadu teachers, govt employees to go on strike from Jan 6
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