Tamil Nadu Transport Minister M.R. Vijayabhaskar has told the striking staff members (read: drivers and conductors of buses) of Transport Department across the State to return to work by today (Tuesday) or face departmental disciplinary proceedings which would be initiated against them.

Demanding hike in basic pay to the tune of 2.57 times, the Transport staff members have been on strike for the past five days, thus throwing bus transport out of gear in Chennai and other places in the State. Only skeletal services are in operation, thus making things tough for the people and commuters. Vijayabhaskar has, in the meanwhile, announced that the Govt. would hold no more talks with the strikers.

“No action of any disciplinary nature would be initiated against striking staff members if they return to work by Tuesday morning,” warned the Minister and added that if they failed to do so, they would have to gear themselves up to face the ‘worst’. He also assured that action would be initiated against those drivers/conductors who abandoned buses mid-way and who stoned the glasses in buses.

In the meantime, the High Court of Madras has instructed the Govt. that it shouldn’t consider dismissing the Transport staff members who have been striking work.