AP employees move HC, ministers launch counter-attack

[Anta Assamey]

Taking the confrontation with the Jagan Mohan Reddy government in Andhra Pradesh to the next level, the state government employees on Thursday moved the high court challenging the government orders (GOs) on “unscientific” pay revision.

A petition to this effect was filed in the state high court by AP Gazetted Officers’ Association K V Krishnaiah, stating that the GOs were against the spirit of the AP Reorganisation Act.

Krishnaiah made chief secretary of Andhra Pradesh and officials of the state finance department and revenue department as respondents. Even the Union home ministry has also been included in the case, as it involved the AP Reorganisation Act passed by the Parliament.

He argued that the salaries should not be reduced as per the Act. 

“The latest GOs implementing the PRC report results in sharp reduction in salaries. As per the Act, there would be total protection of the interests of the employees post bifurcation of combined state,” he said.

Krishnaiah said the employees have decided to take to legal recourse, while continuing the agitation seeking a solution to their demands.

Meanwhile, AP Secretariat Employees’ Association president K Venkatrami Reddy, who has hitherto been considered a pro-ruling party, also announced that his association would be part of the other state government employees to take up a joint agitation.

“We are discussing with other association to form a joint action committee,” he said.

Meanwhile, the ruling party leaders, including ministers in the Jagan government, have launched a counter-attack on the employees’ associations for deciding to go on indefinite strike opposing the PRC.

State minister for municipal administration Botsa Satyanarayana said the PRC was announced only after discussing with all the associations.

“Now, how can they go on strike? They employees seem to be least bothered about the financial position of the state on account of Coronavirus pandemic,” he said.

Stating that the government was ready to hold another round of talks with the employees to convince them, Botsa said the cabinet would take a call after the employees serve the strike notice.

State education minister Adimulapu Suresh said it was not correct on the part of the state employees to go on strike after agreeing on the PRC announced by the chief minister.

“They hailed the PRC in the presence of Jagan but are now protesting the same,” he criticised.