AP Govt appeals power employees not to continue the strike

Hyderabad, May 25 : The Andhra Pradesh Government has appealed to the AP Power Employees Joint Action Committee not to continue the strike in the interest of general public and maintenance of essential services.

In a media statement, the officials have clarified that the last pay revision for the power sector of Andhra Pradesh was given in April, 2010 and the next pay revision was due in April, 2014, after 4 years. In Andhra Pradesh Government, the Pay Revision is done once in five years and in Central Government once in 10 years.

This year in the month of February, 2014 after approval of the Government, the Pay Revision Committee was constituted and the Committee gave its report in March 2014. Due to model code of conduct during elections, a special permission was obtained from Election Commission of India for discussion even during model code of conduct and last discussion was held with the JAC on 17.5.2014 and report was sent to the Government on 20ffi of May, 2014. Even at the government level, file was moved on 21.5.2014.

However, as the new government in both the States of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh will be formed very shortly, it was suggested by the government that it being a major policy decision, where approximately Rs.1250 crores will be burdened on the general public in terms of tariff increase, it will proper that such decisions are taken by the elected government.

It was also conveyed to the JAC that even if there is some delay in taking decision on PRC, it will be implemented with effect from lst April, 2014 and it will hardly make any difference if there is some delay in taking decision. However, Unions and Associations (JAC) demanded that the management enter into an agreement immediately and went on flash strike with effect from 6 AM on Sunday.

The Management of power sector which has been involved in series of negotiations with JAC, requested the Associations and Unions to cooperate with the Management to wait for few days since the Flash strike in the power sector will adversely affect essential services like drinking water, hospitals, train services etc., and putting the citizens into inconvenience.  INN