Following the demise of Dravidian leader and stalwart M Karunanidhi on Tuesday, the state government has announced one-day mourning on August 8, followed by a week-long mourning, during which all government functions will be cancelled. While normalcy will be affected in the state, here’s an update on the services that will be available and will not be.
PR Soundarrajan, advisor of Koyambedu Vegetable, Fruits and Flowers Wholesale Market Traders Federation, says that perishable goods such as fruits, vegetables and flowers will be available from 4.00 to 8.00 am on August 8. However, services might be hit severely on August 9, since the association will not function on Wednesday, and consequentially, will remain shut on the following day, Thursday.
Speaking to TNM, Tamil Nadu Milk Distributors Welfare Association president SA Ponnusamy says that the distributors have already placed order for Wednesday’s milk and hence supply should not be a problem from their end.
“But if retailers decide to shut shops and return our supply, then it might be a problem,” he says adding that the association will also function through Thursday, making sure there is no deficit with respect to supply in milk.
Federation of Tamil Nadu Traders Association (FTTA) Chief Vellaiyan says that all shops have been asked to remain shut statewide on August 8. “Until our leader is laid to rest, we have asked all traders to remain shut and to place black flags outside closed doors,” he says.
Since government has declared holiday on August 8, bus services will run sparingly on Wednesday, says A Soundarrajan of Tamil Nadu State Transport Employees Federation. “While it will be difficult to run buses in the morning, we hope things will get better during the day. As soon as the burial is over, we expect functions to be restored. Until then, services will be disruptive,” he adds.
Boopathy of Centre Of Indian Trade Unions says that taxi and autos services too will be disrupted on August 8 in the city.
KP Murari, President of Tamil Nadu Petroleum Dealers Association has confirmed to TNM that Petrol bunks in TN and Puducherry will remain shut from 6 am to 6 pm on Wednesday.
Karunanidhi was admitted to Kauvery Hospital in Chennai 11 days ago, and passed away due to age-related complications.
Thousands of DMK cadre gathered outside Kauvery Hospital as news of his deteriorating health spread. As more people gathered following his death, Karunanidhi’s son and DMK working president MK Stalin released a statement appealing calm and appreciating the work of doctors and staff at Kauvery Hospital.