Vijayawada, September 27: YSRCP president and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has condemned the alleged police lathi-charge on village and ward secretariat employees during their protest over various demands.
In a detailed post on X, Jagan questioned the use of police force against government employees who, according to him, were participating in a democratic protest. He alleged that several employees, including women, were injured, dragged away and detained.
Jagan also alleged that employees travelling to attend the protest were stopped and taken to police stations. He questioned why employees should be treated as offenders for raising their concerns when, according to his post, the government had not agreed to hold discussions with them.
He further alleged that a large number of employees were suspended to prevent them from participating in the protest and demanded action over what he described as excessive police intervention.
Jagan Raises Questions Over Village and Ward Secretariat System
Jagan alleged that the Chandrababu Naidu government was weakening the village and ward secretariat system introduced during his tenure as Chief Minister.
According to Jagan, the system was established as an administrative reform to provide government services closer to citizens at the village and ward level.
He claimed that his government created 1.34 lakh permanent jobs through the secretariat system and another 2.6 lakh positions under the volunteer system. He alleged that around 30,000 permanent posts are now at risk because of the government’s rationalisation exercise.
Jagan also raised concerns about the status of volunteers. He alleged that the government had promised to increase their monthly honorarium from Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000, but that the promise had not been implemented after the government came to power.
Jagan Alleges Increased Workload on Secretariat Employees
Jagan claimed that several services earlier delivered through the volunteer system have now been transferred to village and ward secretariat employees.
According to his allegation, this has significantly increased the workload and pressure on employees. He also claimed that changes to the system have affected doorstep delivery of government services.
Jagan made another serious allegation regarding employee deaths. He claimed that nearly 100 employees had lost their lives over the past two-and-a-half years, which he attributed to severe work-related stress and, in some cases, suicide.
These figures and the alleged causes were presented as claims in Jagan’s post and have not been independently established in the material provided.
Pending Government Employee Demands
Jagan also highlighted several issues concerning government employees across different departments.
He alleged that employees were waiting for the implementation of promises relating to IR (Interim Relief) and the Pay Revision Commission (PRC).
He further alleged that five Dearness Allowance (DA) installments were pending. According to Jagan, the government announced the release of two DA installments only after employees began protesting, while payment of the arrears was deferred.
Jagan also raised the issue of pending surrender-leave payments.
He claimed that the total amount allegedly due to government employees from the state government was approximately Rs 40,000 crore.
Jagan Demands Judicial Inquiry Into Police Action
Jagan demanded that Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu order a judicial inquiry into the alleged lathi-charge on village and ward secretariat employees.
He also demanded an apology to the employees and withdrawal of the suspensions imposed on those who participated in the protest.
Jagan questioned whether using police force against employees participating in a peaceful demonstration was appropriate in a democratic system.
Promise to Strengthen Village and Ward Secretariats
Jagan also addressed village and ward secretariat employees directly in his post.
He said the YSRCP would strengthen the secretariat system if it returned to power. He promised measures aimed at improving working conditions and helping employees perform their responsibilities more effectively.
He also said the party would work to restore efficient doorstep delivery of government services and further develop the village and ward secretariat system.
Jagan described the system as a model that could potentially be adopted across the country and said it would be strengthened under a future YSRCP government.
He concluded by saying that two-and-a-half years of the present government’s term had already passed and assured secretariat employees that their concerns would be addressed if the YSRCP returned to power.
