Andhra Pradesh: Government staff on warpath
AP NGOs president Bandi Srinivasa Rao, AP JAC Amaravati chairman Bopparaju Venkateswarlu and other leaders at a press conference in Vijayawada on Tuesday
Vijayawada: The Joint Action Committees of employees are fuming with anger over the late-night release of GOs by the State Government pertaining to fitment of wages, HRA and other perks which are not of any benefit to them. They have also resolved to hold black badge protests from Wednesday demanding withdrawal of the GOs.
The JAC leaders said that the State Government has cheated the employees. It had gone back on its assurance of protecting the interests of employees despite the difficult financial situation being faced by the Government.
The Government had asked the employees to scale down their demand for fitment and assured that the Government would scale up the percentage from the proposals made by the official committee. But the GOs, employees' unions said it was much lower than the interim relief and there has been a massive cut in the house rent allowance. Not just that, it had also decided that there would be no more PRCs and the State Government will follow the Central pay revision structure.
Speaking to media persons here on Tuesday, AP JAC chairman Bandi Srinivasa Rao said the GOs deny HRA to the employees working in the capital region. The employees' union leaders claimed the government had reduced the HRA category from four to three. "We cannot compromise on everything. Even City Compensatory Allowance has been reduced. The officials have misled the Chief Minister," they added.
Employees JAC Amaravati chairman Bopparaju Venkateswarlu said that the State Government released pending DAs only to cut other benefits.
Teachers' association president Joseph Sudheer Babu said the State Government failed to consider their proposals. He said that teachers will launch an agitation till the Government responds positively. They will burn GOs on Wednesday. This will be followed by laying seizure to the district collectorate.
Medical and Health employees' association president Askar Rao said the medical and health employees are discharging their duties risking their lives during the present Covid pandemic. He said that they are left with no alternative except to launch agitation.