Hyderabad, April 10: The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation Employees Union and the Officers Association, which had threatened to intensify their agitation, decided today to call off their agitation following an assurance given by minister for municipal administration and urban development M Maheedhar Reddy that the government would protect the interest of the employees and officers working in the municipalities and corporations in the state.
The GHMC Officers Association, led by its president V Srinivas Goud, along with GHMC Union leaders met the minister in his chamber at the Secretariat and brought to his notice the harassment being meted out to them by elected representatives of the people and insecurity to their lives as they were in constant threat of being attacked while on duty. They wanted the government to give protection to them as otherwise it would become difficult for them to work. The minister assured them that the government would take all steps to provide safety to municipal employees and officers in the state. After studying the present rules, the government would amend the Acts and separate guidelines would be issued in this regard.
The minister also held talks with GHMC corporators, and wanted the corporators and officers to work together to serve people. Accusing commissioner Sameer Sharma of adamance, Congress corporators demanded his immediate transfer. The commissioner had insulted the general body by walking out of the council meeting, Congress floor leader Kaleru Venkatesh said.
—Agencies