Sat Dec 13 01:23:00 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and news article rewrite based on the provided text:

Summary:

The Tamil Nadu Government Fair Price Shops Employees Union held a protest in Chennai on December 13, 2025, demanding better wages, pension benefits for all employees (including retired ones), and the appointment of packers/helpers in all shops. They also called for a lower fingerprint match threshold for biometric authentication, reverting it from 90% to 40% due to difficulties faced by senior citizens. Additionally, the union urged the government to supply non-controlled goods (like tea and salt) to ration shops at prices lower than those in the retail market.

News Article:

Tamil Nadu Fair Price Shop Employees Protest for Improved Wages and Benefits

Chennai, India – December 13, 2025: The Tamil Nadu Government Fair Price Shops Employees Union staged a protest in Chennai today, demanding significant improvements to their wages and benefits. Union State President, K. Jeyachandraraja, led the demonstration, calling for the immediate establishment of a wage revision committee, headed by a civil servant, to re-evaluate salaries based on employee qualifications.

Key demands included the appointment of packers and helpers in all fair price shops, even on a temporary basis, to alleviate workload. The union also highlighted the need to extend pension benefits to all retired employees, a benefit currently denied by many co-operatives. Jeyachandraraja emphasized the importance of bringing women-run shops under the control of co-operatives, ensuring fair wages for female employees.

The union also addressed issues impacting consumers, particularly senior citizens. They are advocating for a return to the 40% fingerprint match threshold for biometric authentication, citing difficulties many face with the current 90% requirement.

Finally, the union called on the government to supply non-controlled goods like tea and salt to ration shops at prices lower than those in the general retail market, ensuring affordability for all. The protest underscores the ongoing concerns of fair price shop employees and their call for improved working conditions and benefits.

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