Staff members of Primary Agricultural Cooperative Credit Societies (PACCS) and ration shops staged a demonstration near the Madurai District Collectorate opposing the mounting operational pressures and severe staff shortages across cooperative institutions.

Organised under the banner of the Tamil Nadu Primary Cooperative Bank All Employees Association, the protesters voiced strong opposition.

Key grievances are operational hurdles in executing the government’s Thayumanavar Scheme, which workers claim has caused significant distress.

Protesters demanded immediate corrective measures to streamline the welfare initiative.

The members also condemned the practice of calling staff for duties on official holidays and criticised frequent review meetings, alleging that constant demands for statistical reports generate unnecessary work pressure.

Additionally, the demonstrators pressed for the regularisation of computer operators who have completed more than two years of service through a special qualifying examination.

They called for an immediate end to the practice of overburdening existing staff due to vacant positions in primary agricultural credit banks.

“If the government fails to take decisive action on our 13-point charter of demands, all employees working across fair price shops and primary agricultural cooperative credit banks will go on an indefinite strike starting August 3,” said a protester.

Published - July 20, 2026 09:14 pm IST