' AP JAC Amaravathi ' Urge CM to Fulfill Election Promises

Vijayawada ( Journalist File ) : Leaders of the Andhra Pradesh Joint Action Committee (AP JAC) Amaravati, Bopparaju Venkateswarlu and Palishetti Damodar Rao, have urged the state government to promptly address a series of longstanding grievances affecting government employees. In a meeting held with Chief Minister’s Office Principal Secretary Mudda Ravi Chandra, AP JAC representatives presented a detailed memorandum highlighting 18 priority issues. The demands include interim relief (IR), appointment of a 12th Pay Revision Commission (PRC) Commissioner, and the restoration of key pension and healthcare benefits.

The AP JAC leadership convened a significant meeting on Sunday at Vijayawada’s Revenue Bhavan under the chairmanship of Bopparaju Venkateswarlu, where they deliberated on core issues impacting the state’s government employees and pensioners. Following the meeting, the leaders outlined several recommendations to the press, highlighting both immediate financial concerns and broader welfare measures.

Demand for Immediate Interim Relief

A key demand of the AP JAC is the immediate announcement of interim relief. The leaders noted that due to the previous government’s inaction, state employees were deprived of IR for 15 months, resulting in financial strain. The committee requested that the new government deliver on its election promise by providing this relief without delay and by appointing a 12th PRC Commissioner to address salary revisions.

Restoration of Pension Benefits

The committee called for the reinstatement of additional pension allowances, which were curtailed under the 11th PRC reversal implemented by the former administration. Nearly 400,000 pensioners across the state have been affected by the cuts, and the AP JAC appealed to the current government to return to the previous benefits structure, providing pensioners with overdue financial stability and security.

Functioning of the Employee Health Scheme (EHS)

AP JAC leaders also raised issues with the Employee Health Scheme (EHS), which has reportedly failed to serve employees and pensioners effectively for over a decade. Despite monthly deductions from salaries, the scheme’s benefits have not materialized as intended. Leaders pressed for a review and reactivation of the scheme to offer timely, cashless healthcare access for employees and their families.

Special Provisions for Women Employees

The committee proposed that the state government extend Child Care Leave from the existing six months to two years, aligning with central government provisions for female employees. This measure, according to the AP JAC, would support women balancing their professional and parental responsibilities, helping them provide better care for young children.

Regularization of Contract and Outsourced Employees

The AP JAC leaders criticized the prior administration’s partial fulfillment of promises to regularize contract employees, stating that only a limited number were regularized primarily in health and select other sectors. They urged the new government to fulfill the commitment to regularize all eligible contract employees. Furthermore, they called for parity in wages and job security for outsourced employees who perform duties equivalent to regular staff, affecting nearly 100,000 workers.

Payment of Pending Dues

AP JAC leaders expressed concerns regarding unpaid arrears from the 11th PRC, including July 2018 DA arrears and benefits withheld upon retirement. They demanded that these pending dues be settled without further delay to alleviate financial pressure on employees and pensioners. Additionally, they criticized the former government for using employees’ General Provident Fund (GPF) savings and urged the return of these funds to affected employees. Leaders also highlighted the need for timely approval of surrender leave encashment, especially for police personnel, whose requests have been pending since 2022.

Building Trust with the New Administration

The meeting included 21 committee members, along with Associate Chairman T.V. Phaniperrraju and Treasurer Kanaparthi Sangitaravu. Leaders expressed optimism in the new government’s ability to address these long-neglected issues. They highlighted the trust employees have placed in the current administration and urged the Chief Minister to take swift, effective action to resolve outstanding employee welfare concerns, reassuring the workforce of the government’s commitment to their well-being.