Is it wrong to ask the government to fulfil the promises made before the elections? Andhra Pradesh government employees are raising these questions while expressing strong anger against the Chandrababu Naidu government.
Employee unions allege that even after more than two years in power, the government has failed to resolve their long-pending issues and is merely delaying decisions. With patience running out, the unions have now launched a phased agitation and issued an ultimatum to the government.
“Give Us Our Money” Employees Raise the Voice of Protest
Government employees say they are not demanding anything new. They are only seeking salaries, allowances, DA payments, arrears and service benefits that are legally due to them. However, employee unions allege that the government’s continued inaction has pushed dissatisfaction among employees to a critical level.
According to the employees, several issues remain unresolved, including the Pay Revision Commission (PRC), Interim Relief (IR), five pending DAs, GPF payments, retirement benefits, medical reimbursements and surrender leave payments.
Employee unions claim that the total pending dues are around ₹40,000 crore.
“Why is there so much neglect when it comes to our problems?” employees are asking the government.
Where Is the PRC Commission? Why Is IR Not Being Granted?
Employee unions are questioning why the government has failed to take concrete steps towards appointing a new Pay Revision Commission, despite more than two years having passed since the coalition government came to power.
One of the major demands of employees is that the government should immediately appoint the PRC and announce the new pay revision within three months.
At the same time, employees are demanding at least 30 per cent Interim Relief (IR) until the new PRC is implemented.
Five Pending DAs Another Major Source of Anger
Employee unions allege that the government has failed to release pending Dearness Allowances (DAs), despite DA being revised periodically.
The demand to immediately release all five pending DAs has now become one of the key points of the agitation.
Employee leaders say the delay in releasing DAs is causing a significant financial burden on government employees.
₹40,000 Crore in Arrears When Will the Government Pay?
Employee unions claim that various dues owed to government employees and pensioners have accumulated to nearly ₹40,000 crore.
These reportedly include PRC-related arrears, pending DAs, GPF dues, retirement benefits, medical reimbursements and surrender leave payments, among others.
Employee unions are demanding that even if the government cannot clear the entire amount at once, it should pay the arrears in two or three instalments before the end of the current financial year.
Police Employees Also Have Pending Dues What About the CPS Issue?
The agitation also includes issues concerning police personnel.
Employee unions are demanding that pending surrender leave dues of police employees be cleared immediately.
They are also seeking a solution to the problems faced by CPS employees, along with promotions and other service-related benefits that are due to government employees.
What About GPF, Retirement Benefits and Medical Bills?
The employees’ concerns are not limited to PRC and DA.
Employee unions are also demanding immediate settlement of pending General Provident Fund (GPF) amounts, retirement benefits, medical reimbursements and surrender leave payments.
They point out that delays in retirement benefits can create serious financial difficulties for retired employees and their families.
Agitation Notices in 26 Districts Employees Prepare for Massive Protests
Employee unions have stepped up preparations for a statewide agitation to increase pressure on the government.
Agitation notices have been submitted to collectors in all 26 districts.
In several districts, large numbers of employees have already taken out rallies and protests and marched towards collectorates. Raising slogans, they brought their demands to the attention of officials.
The latest developments indicate that differences between the government and employees could once again turn into an open confrontation.
Black Badges From September 1 Protest Against the Government
As part of the agitation programme, employees will wear black badges while attending duty from September 1 to September 5.
They will also change their mobile phone display pictures with the slogan:
“CM Sir… Give Us Our Money.”
Through this campaign, employees intend to take their protest beyond government offices and into the public and social media space.
Protests From September 3 to 5 Collectorates and RDO Offices to Become Protest Venues
From September 3 to September 5, employee unions have planned protests at collectorates and Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO) offices.
Large numbers of employees are expected to participate in the programmes at district headquarters and reiterate their demands before the government.
‘Work to Rule’ From September 15 The Real Test for the Government
If the government fails to respond even after the initial phase of protests, employees plan to launch a ‘Work to Rule’ agitation from September 15.
Under this approach, employees will perform their duties strictly according to government rules and prescribed working hours while continuing their protest.
This could potentially affect the functioning of government offices.
The JAC has also planned to take the employees’ issues to the public through social media campaigns, submitting representations to elected representatives and conducting dharnas as part of the next phase.
What Are the Main Demands of the Employees?
The major demands put forward by employee unions include:
- Immediately appoint the Pay Revision Commission (PRC).
- Announce the new PRC within three months.
- Provide 30 per cent Interim Relief (IR) until the PRC is implemented.
- Immediately release the five pending DAs.
- Clear pending surrender leave dues of police personnel.
- Resolve pending GPF-related dues.
- Pay all pending retirement benefits.
- Clear medical reimbursement arrears.
- Resolve the issues concerning CPS employees.
- Provide due promotions to employees.
- Resolve other service-related issues.
- Clear the total pending dues, estimated by employee unions at around ₹40,000 crore.
Election Promises Why the Silence After Coming to Power?
A political dimension is also visible in the employees’ anger.
Employee unions allege that promises made to government employees before the elections have not been implemented after the government came to power.
They say they repeatedly appealed to the government to resolve issues related to PRC, IR, DAs, arrears and service benefits, but received no satisfactory response.
That, they argue, has forced employees to take the path of agitation.
The employees’ question is simple:
“Is it wrong to ask for our rights? Is it wrong to ask the government to give us the money that is due to us?”
“Don’t Mistake Our Patience for Helplessness”
Employee union leaders have warned the government not to mistake the employees’ patience for helplessness.
They have made it clear that if the government continues to delay the resolution of their problems, the agitation will be intensified.
The first phase includes black badges, protests and agitation notices.
The second phase includes Work to Rule, social media campaigns, representations to elected representatives and dharnas.
If the government still fails to respond, employee unions are preparing for a more intense third phase of agitation.
The Battle Lines Are Drawn The Ball Is Now in Chandrababu’s Court
The employees’ demands did not emerge overnight.
Issues relating to PRC, IR, DAs, GPF, retirement benefits, medical reimbursements and surrender leave payments have accumulated over time, employee unions say.
They claim that the total arrears have reached nearly ₹40,000 crore.
Now, employees have taken their protest to the streets.
Agitation notices have been issued in 26 districts. Large-scale protests have been held. Black badges will be worn from September 1. Protests will be held from September 3. And Work to Rule is scheduled to begin from September 15.
The employees have sounded the battle cry.
The key question now is whether the government will respond and resolve their demands, or whether the employees’ agitation will escalate further.
Will the Chandrababu Naidu government step forward and address the demands of employees who have taken to the streets saying, “Give us our money”? That is the question now.
