Andhra Pradesh seeks more days for PRC, leaders disappointed

VIJAYAWADA: The AP government continued its consultations with the government employees to resolve issues related to Pay Revision Commission (PRC) recommendations and other matters.

The government held the Joint Staff Council meeting at the Secretariat on Thursday. Leaders of 16 unions of government employees participated in the talks with finance chief secretary Sashi Bhushan and other officials.  

The Finance Secretary stated at the outset that the government is committed to resolving issues of the PRC, fitment and monetary benefits on a priority basis. It would take opinions of the unions and try resolving the issues at the earliest.  

Adviser to the government (employees welfare) N. Chandrasekhar Reddy said the government would announce its final word on pay revision in a few days’ time and advised the employees and their leaders to be patient.

APJAC chairman B. Venkateswarlu criticised the “delay” in the consultation process. He said some Rs 2,000 crore of dues to the government employees should be cleared. He alleged that the government was harassing the employees participating in the protests. Memos were issued to 2,500 government employees apart from suspension orders against many others, he said.

“We urge the government to cancel the suspension orders and facilitate a meeting for us with Chief Minister Jagan to resolve issues.”

APJAC Amaravati chairman K. Srinivasa Rao said the CM had promised to announce pay revision, during his tour of Tirupati, but it did not happen. “The government offered a 14.29 fitment, but this is unacceptable to us. We are waiting for the government response and decide on the future course of action accordingly,” he said.  

Another leader K.R. Suryanarayana said the consultations were failing to yield results. The employees will wait for the final outcome for a few more days and decide on an action plan thereafter, he said.