Telangana pay revision panel report triggers protests by employees

Hyderabad, Jan 27 : Government employees in Telangana took to streets on Wednesday to lodge their protest against the Pay Revision Commission (PRC) report, which recommended 7.5 per cent salary hike over basic pay.

Furious over the meagre hike recommended by the panel, the employees and pensioners made it clear that nothing less than 43 per cent fitment (salary hike) will be acceptable to them.

Raising slogans against the government, the employees came out on streets in Hyderabad and other parts of the state and set afire the copies of PRC report.

Leaders of the employees’ unions termed PRC “Pay Reduction Commission”, saying it came as a huge disappointment to them.

Expressing their unhappiness over PRC report, a delegation of employees’ leaders met the committee headed by Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar.

They warned that if their demands were not met they will have no option but to go on strike. The leaders said they had huge expectations and were hoping that the first PRC in Telangana state will enhance their self-respect.

Telangana Non-Gazetted Officers’ Association (TNGO) President M. Rajender said PRC recommendation for 7.5 per cent fitment is unacceptable. “The employees had thought that after formation of Telangana state, they will get reasonable salaries but PRC report has come as a huge disappointment to over nine lakh employees,” he said.

They said when the state was facing financial problems during Covid, the employees extended all the help and claimed that the state’s economy is now doing well.

Pointing out that in the past the government had given 43 per cent fitment, they demanded that the same should be provided now

Recalling that the employees’ unions participated in the movement for Telangana state, Rajender said that the TNGO is ready for another fight for their demands.

What further angered the employees was PRC recommendation to cut down HRA.

PRC recommended a minimum pay scale of Rs 19,000 while employees’ union were demanding Rs 25,000.

The only positive recommendation for employees was increasing retirement age from 58 to 60.

Leaders of United Teachers’ Federation (UTF) staged the protest near state secretariat. They tore the PRC report and raised slogans against the government. Police detained the protestors.

Leaders of opposition Congress were also detained by the police as they tried to stage the protest near the Secretariat. Party leader Vamshi Chand Reddy demanded that the government immediately hold talks with the employees and announce revised fitment.

Pensioners also slammed the PRC report. Leaders of Pensioners’ Association said they waited for the report for 32 months and were expecting 60 per cent fitment.

The opposition parties hit out at TRS government for PRC report. BJP state President Bandi Sanjay termed PRC report as a drama, and alleged that the Chief Minister betrayed the farmers. He sought to know if the three-member committee was allowed to function independently.

Meanwhile, the government said that on the direction of Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, the three member committee headed by the Chief Secretary met office bearers of the Telangana Gazetted Officers Association, the Telangana Non-gazetted Officers Association and the Telangana Secretariat Association.

“The three member committee heard the views of the three employees associations, one by one regarding their views and representations with regard to PRC recommendations and other issues. Chief Secretary has responded positively on employees issues pertaining to PRC recommendations and other related matters which will be brought to the notice of Hon’ble Chief Minister,” said a government statement.

Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from IANS service.