VRAs on warpath again, threaten to go on strike after Jan. 28

Hyderabad: Village revenue assistants (VRAs) threatened to relaunch their strike for better pay scale and job security as the state government remains mum on the issue even three months after the Munugode bypoll.

 VRAs were on strike from August to October 2022 and stepped back after the
government promised to address their demands after the Munugode bypoll, as
the model code of conduct was in place.

Following the assurances given by IT minister K.T. Rama Rao and then chief
secretary Somesh Kumar, VRAs withdrew their strike in October and resumed
work.

On Wednesday, the VRAs joint action committee (JAC)held a meeting to decide
on the future course of action. The committee decided to wait till January
28 for the government to initiate steps towards addressing their issues,
failing which it would go on strike.

Around 23,000 VRAs, who are part of the JAC, agreed to the decision.

In the peak of the last year’s protest, VRAs laid siege to the Assembly in
September, forcing the state government to initiate talks with them.