YSRCP slams inaction on employees, pensioners demands

Tadepalli, August 21: The coalition government's Joint Staff Council (JSC) meeting, convened after a 14-month delay, has proven to be nothing more than a superficial exercise, leaving Andhra Pradesh's 13 lakh employees and pensioners in profound disappointment and fueling widespread discontent. YSRCP Employees and Pensioners Wing President Nalamara Chandrasekhar Reddy, criticized the administration’s lack of sincerity, as the Chief Secretary-led meeting failed to address critical issues despite high expectations.
Chandrasekhar highlighted the stalled 12th Pay Revision Commission (PRC), pending for two years without a new commissioner appointed post the previous one’s resignation. No decisions were made on pending Dearness Allowance (DA) arrears—four installments overdue—or promised Interim Relief (IR). He demanded clarity on 11th PRC and DA arrears, absent in pay slips despite union demands, including from Amaravati JAC. “Why hold a JSC just for show?” Chandrasekhar questioned, emphasizing the financial strain on workers.
He urged the immediate establishment of a Pay Revision Commission with at least 30% PRC benefits, DA arrears release, and proper functioning of the Employees Health Scheme, crippled by unpaid bills. Unions also demanded raising medical reimbursements from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 5 lakh, scrapping the Contributory Pension Scheme for the Old Pension Scheme, regularizing 7,000 contract workers, allotting house sites, and increasing pension quanta (10% for age 70+, 15% for 75+). He also called for raising the retirement age to 62 for public sector employees.
Chandrasekhar condemned the Chief Secretary’s evasive response. He urged swift action to restore faith and prevent unrest.