For the third consecutive day on Saturday bus services across Tamil Nadu remained paralysed as striking workers ignored High Court order and stayed off duty.

The government issued another threat to employees but to no avail. In the meanwhile the government tried to recruit an army of temporary drivers to tide over the crisis.

The transport minister Vijayabhaskar told media persons that situation today was much better than yesterday with few workers returning to work. In Chennai he claimed half the buses were on the roads but passengers had a different story to tell.

As the strike was known many stayed at home.

Bus services in Tamil Nadu remain crippled for third day running leaving the government to take urgent measures to bring the situation to normal. The agitating unions have been demanding a 2.57% hike in wages but government is willing to give 2.44% said A Soundararajan, President , Tamil Nadu State Transport Employees Federation the High Court order is unjust. We will challenge it.

Tamil Nadu Transport Minister MR Vijayabhaskar appealed to striking bus employees to return to work. More buses are in road today he said.

Meanwhile, DMK working president MK Stalin asked the chief minister to talk to unions and settle the issue.