*GO 1426 is an attack on employees' rights: YSRCP*

Tadepalli, July 22: YSRCP Employees and Pensioners Wing State President Nallamoru Chandrasekhar Reddy said G.O. Rt. No. 1426 issued by the coalition government is an assault on the rights, dignity and independence of government employees. Addressing the media at the YSRCP central office in Tadepalli, he said the coalition had promised to restore the dignity of employees in its election manifesto but has instead created an atmosphere of fear and intimidation. He said the government is attempting to bring all gazetted officers under the newly introduced "Agreed List" system to keep them under constant surveillance and convert them into subordinates of the political leadership.

Chandrasekhar Reddy said no other state has introduced such a system to monitor government employees and questioned the need for G.O. 1426 when the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Vigilance Department and existing Conduct Rules already provide adequate mechanisms to act against erring officials. He said empowering the General Administration Department with such authority raises serious concerns over the government's intentions and is aimed at bringing impartial officers under political control.

He stated that officers across departments are already functioning under fear of transfers, illegal cases and administrative pressure, forcing many to carry out actions against their professional judgment. He said even police officers are being pressured to register social media cases in violation of High Court directions, while officials are threatened with transfers to remote areas if they refuse to comply with political instructions.

Calling the move a "Red Book Constitution" for government employees, Chandrasekhar Reddy said the coalition government is using intimidation and blackmail to control the bureaucracy instead of ensuring independent governance. He demanded the immediate withdrawal of G.O. 1426 and warned that any attempt to undermine the rights and independence of government employees would invite strong opposition from employees across the State.