Disappointed with the lack of provisions for government workers in the Deficit Interim Budget (DIB) that was released a few days ago, the striking government employees have decided to continue with their protests for the fourth consecutive day here on Wednesday.

The employees have been protesting for the past three days demanding that the state government accept their 20-point agenda. They were hoping that their issues and queries will be addressed in the Assembly budget sessions during the presentation of DIB by the Finance Minister, O. Panneerselvam.

The budget was presented on Tuesday. Soon afterwards, the protesting committee announced that the DIB was a disappointment and added that they will continue with their intensified stir until their demands are met. They had also informed during a press briefing in Chennai that the protests are being held for the benefit of the workers and the public in general.

As part of their continuing protests, the government employees belonging to various associations picketed the Avinashi Road, and in front of the Coimbatore District Collectorate, and started an oppari (wailing) protest. Traffic came to a standstill on Avinashi Road as the employees sat on the Road and refused to move away.

Police, meanwhile, arrested more than 1000 employees who had participated in the protest.