It has been nearly 14 months since the Telugu Desam Party-led coalition government headed by chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu came to power in Andhra Pradesh; and it appears unrest has started brewing among the employees and pensioners, who are key for any government.
Employees and pensioners have voiced strong anguish and dissatisfaction over the government’s failure to implement promises made before the coalition assumed office.
At the state executive committee meeting of the AP JAC Amaravati, held Saturday at the Revenue Bhavan in Vijayawada, employee union leaders described the situation as “distressing.”
“Several retired employees passed away before receiving their pending dues, causing further grief among pensioners,” said union leader Bopparaju Venkateshwarlu.
Employee unions warned that if the government, especially the chief minister does not address the financial issues on a priority basis, the growing discontent among employees and pensioners could lead to organized protests in the near future.
Bopparaju pointed out that despite pre-election assurances, the government has yet to announce Interim Relief (IR).
Delays in implementing the 11th PRC recommendations, clearing pending Dearness Allowances (DA), gratuity, and leave encashments have caused massive financial strain on employees and retirees.
“Many retired employees are still awaiting dues ranging between ₹15 lakh and ₹25 lakh, while three pending DA installments have added to their financial distress,” he said.
The committee also demanded the regularization of nearly 7,000 contract employees working in state departments and the extension of welfare schemes to outsourced workers, as promised in the election manifesto.
Highlighting what they called continued neglect of employee welfare, the leaders criticized the government for delaying the appointment of the PRC Commission and for failing to release four pending DA installments.
