PMK Demands 30 Percent Diwali Bonus Amid Surge Fare Backlash

Ahead of the upcoming festival season, political friction in Tamil Nadu has escalated over public sector employee benefits and private transport regulation. Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) President Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss has formally demanded that the Tamil Nadu state government grant a 30 percent Diwali bonus to all state government employees, public sector undertaking staff, and transport workers. Concurrently, opposition voices, including Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief and actor Vijay, have sharply criticized the ruling administration over its inability to curtail skyrocketing private omnibus fares during the holiday rush.

In an official statement, Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss highlighted the growing financial strain faced by government staff, municipal workers, state transport employees, and electricity board personnel due to persistent inflation and rising living expenses. He emphasized that public sector employees serve as the backbone of the state administration, working continuously to maintain public services and infrastructure. Ramadoss urged Chief Minister M.K. Stalin to go beyond the conventional bonus caps and announce a mandatory 30 percent ex-gratia disbursement to ensure workers can celebrate the festival with financial security.

Simultaneously, the issue of festive travel exploitation has sparked widespread consumer dissatisfaction and political debate across the state. Millions of commuters travel from major commercial hubs like Chennai, Coimbatore, and Tiruppur to their native hometowns across southern and central districts for Diwali. Taking advantage of the surge in travel demand, several private omnibus operators have reportedly increased ticket prices to exorbitant levels, charging double or triple the standard tariffs.

Addressing the situation, TVK leader Vijay publicly criticized the state transport department and the state administration for taking a passive stance against private fleet operators. Vijay remarked that common citizens are left without government protection against unregulated surge pricing, arguing that official warnings from the transport department have yielded no tangible results on the ground. He called for direct enforcement, strict caps on private bus fares, and immediate penalties for operators violating travel norms.

In response to mounting criticism, the Tamil Nadu Transport Department announced special monitoring teams at key toll plazas and bus terminals across the state. Officials reiterated that impounding orders and hefty fines would be levied against private transport operators caught overcharging commuters. Special state-run transport buses have also been scheduled to handle the massive passenger overflow, though commuter unions argue that public services remain insufficient to fully meet the festive demand. As political parties mobilize around employee welfare and consumer rights, the state government faces dual pressure to manage public sector payouts while restoring order to holiday transport networks.