Hyderabad, June 19: The Congress party on Wednesday demanded that the Telangana Government immediately resolve the pending grievances of government staff.
In an open letter to Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao, All India Congress Committee (AICC) National Spokesperson Dr Sravan Dasoju slammed the State Government for delay in implementation of new Pay Revision Scale (PRC), lack of Interim Relief (IR), non-enhancement of age for retirement, dysfunctional Health Cards and other promises made with the government employees. “While these problems were brought to the notice of the government by the employees’ unions and opposition parties multiple times, but unfortunately, no attention was paid towards them and they have been kept unresolved for unknown reasons,” Sravan said in his letter.
Sravan reminded that the Chief Minister had given an assurance that the Interim Relief (IR) would be announced on June 2, 2018, 5th State Formation Day and a new PRC, with a mandate to submit its report a week before August 15, 2018, would be set up. However, none of these promises are fulfilled even after one year, he said.
“It is highly unfortunate, that the State Cabinet, which met on June 18, 2019, neither took a decision on Interim Relief (IR) nor was any clue given on the implementation of PRC. As eyewash, yet another promise of introducing a ‘mysterious package’ was made with the employees,” the Congress leader said.
He demanded that new PRC be implemented with retrospective effect from 1st July 2018.
The Congress leader said that about 23 State Governments in the country and the Government of India were implementing the age limit for the retirement of their employees as 60 years. Even in Telangana State also, for All India Services Officers and a section of Telangana employees i.e., Class-IV, the retirement age is 60 years. Post-bifurcation, the residuary State of Andhra Pradesh is implementing the enhanced age limit from June 2014. In Judiciary and for teaching staff in professional colleges, the retirement age is 65 years. In view of the above, he said all the employees’ unions have been demanding for a long time that the State Government enhances the age limit of Telangana employees on-par with other states in the country and as well employees of Govt. of India.
Sravan reminded that all the political parties, including TRS, Congress, BJP and TDP have promised to enhance the age limit and included the same in their election manifestoes. Even after 6 months, the promise is not yet implemented. The employees, who are at the verge of retirement, are in a state of frustration with the attitude of Government.
“It is pathetic to note that the Employee Health Services (EHS) scheme has totally failed and no hospital is entertaining health cards issued by Government of Telangana. All the employees irrespective of their category are ready to contribute monthly premiums towards EHS if there is a financial crunch in the state government. Strict instructions should be given to all the hospital management in Telangana that on the production of the health card, cashless medical services shall be extended,” he demanded.
*Cadre Strength of Employees:
Congress said that due to the re-organization of districts from 10 to 33, the number of offices has increased. However, no proportionate ministerial staff was provided, which consequently increased the workload for staff to an abnormal level. This issue needs to be addressed immediately as the existing staff is under huge work pressure, which is leading to serious health problems.
*Final Settlement on Retirement
“Restoration of Administrative Tribunal for quick redressal of employees’ grievances and the abolition of the Contract and Outsourcing system should be ensured immediately. Further, on the day of retirement, an employee should get Gratuity, encashment of Earned Leaves and all other benefits towards Final Settlement. Regrettably, the Final Settlement is being done inhumanely. Thousands of employees who have retired months ago are still waiting for the final settlement of their dues. A system should be evolved to ensure that such instances do not recur, the Congress leader demanded.
Stating that employees of Telangana Government were eagerly waiting for the early redressal of their demands, Sravan urged the Chief Minister to prioritize the announcement of IR, implementation PRC and other demands raised by government employees.