Talangana: Salary deferment a rude jolt to staff, pensioners

Hyderabad: The ordinance brought out by the government making special provision for deferment of payment to employees and pensioners has caused deep anguish among both the sections across the state.

The Talangana Disaster and Public Health Emergency (Special Provisions) Ordinance 2020 was promulgated by the government on June 16. "Every time during the natural calamity or disasters, the employees contribute their one or two-day salaries to the Chief Minister Relief Fund (CMRF) voluntarily holding moral responsibility. However, making deferment of payment a compulsory rule by the government is not at all a justified move at a time when families of employees and pensioners are going through a tough time," said Dr A A Khan, the general secretary of Telangana Medical Joint Action Committee (TMJAC).

"The ordinance is a severe blow, especially to retired employees. Whatever little amount we receive as pension is hardly sufficient for us to meet our basic expenses such as food, medicines, etc. At this age, we can't go out to work. The ordinance would deprive use of a basic security, even after serving more than 33 years in the state government," bemoaned Surender, a retired employee.

"Even though the employees are fully co-operating with the government in the fight against coronavirus in every possible way, the sudden move of the latter holds no justification. Instead of taking unilateral decision on the issue, the government should take into consideration the plight of the families of employees as well as pensioners," said Ramesh Reddy, a retired professor.

"The KCR government promulgated an ordinance to support its unlawful GO. This is atrocious and undemocratic. During the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic the worst-hit and the most susceptible are the elderly. KCR uses elderly as vote-bank during elections and but has left them in lurch now. They are the ones who need the highest attention, care and priority. Government should relook at their priorities and plight before moving ahead with the ordinance," said Vishveshwar Reddy, a former Member of Parliament.