YSRCP demands action on alleged arrears and workload of secretariat staff

The YSR Congress Party has accused the Andhra Pradesh government of treating ward and village secretariat employees in an “inhuman manner” and called for respect for the staff. Former MLA and YSRCP State spokesperson Rachamallu Sivaprasad Reddy made the allegations at a media conference in Proddatur, Kadapa district, on Tuesday. Mr.

Reddy condemned what he described as an alleged attack on secretariat employees and criticised statements by ruling-party leaders about them. He cited an example of a news reporter referring to the employees as “blade batch”. He alleged that the ruling National Democratic Alliance was using its leaders and a section of the media to portray agitating employees in a demeaning way.

“Treat them as employees and not your slaves,” he said. Mr. Reddy described the employees’ demands as reasonable.

According to him, they are seeking a reduction in work pressure, payment of salary arrears pending for nine months and maternity leave. He urged the government to consider their concerns and said the staff deserved to be treated with respect. The source material did not include a response from the State government or details of any official decision on the demands.

Mr. Reddy described the secretariat system as the “brain child” of former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy.

He said the YSRCP would stand by the employees until their issues were resolved. The report did not specify the number of employees involved, the scope of any agitation or whether negotiations between staff representatives and the government had taken place.