CPI Backs Village And Ward Secretariat Employees’ Protest

CPI Andhra Pradesh state secretary Gujjula Eshwaraiah has extended the party’s support to the protest by village and ward secretariat employees and urged the State government to address their long-pending service-related issues without delay.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Eshwaraiah said secretariat employees play an important role in delivering welfare schemes and implementing government services at the grassroots level. He said the government had a responsibility to resolve their service-related concerns and ensure job security.

Eshwaraiah demanded that employees be granted the two annual increments due for the probation period and called for the scrapping of departmental tests that were acting as an obstacle to completion of probation.

He also sought declaration of probation for all SG/SWG employees and resolution of their service-related grievances. Promotions should be considered based on eligibility, seniority and applicable service rules, he said.

The CPI leader also urged the government to consider the difficulties faced by employees posted away from their families and provide postings in their native mandals, wherever possible.

Eshwaraiah called on the government to recognise the services being rendered by village and ward secretariat employees and take specific steps to resolve their grievances. He urged the authorities to hold discussions with representatives of employee associations and announce a clear action plan to address issues that have remained pending for a long time.

He said the CPI would extend its full support to the democratic struggle being undertaken by employees for their legitimate demands and appealed to the government to respond positively.

Meanwhile, Eshwaraiah said the CPI state plenary would be held in Kadapa from September 27 to 30 as part of the party’s centenary celebrations. National and state-level leaders are expected to attend the four-day meeting.

He called upon party workers to work collectively to make the plenary a success. As part of the programme, a public rally and meeting will be held in Kadapa on September 28, he said.