Former MP of Karimnagar Ponnam Prabhakar on Saturday demanded that the State Government do justice to the employees who participated in the Telangana statehood agitation, but retired before State’s formation.
Addressing a press conference along with Rajya Sabha MP MA Khan and former Chief Whip Gandra Venkataramana Reddy, Ponnam claimed that nearly 20,000 employees took part in the Sakala Janula Samme and other agitation. However, they retired before the formation of Telangana on June 2. Due to their participation in the strike, each of the nearly 20,000 employees were losing Rs 60,000 to Rs 1 lakh in their retirement benefits. He said while serving employees have been given special Telangana increment, these retired employees have been deprived of their due share.
Ponnam urged the State Government to consider the case of retired employees and provide them equal benefits on par with serving employees. Referring to Legislative Council Chairman Swamy Goud and Parliamentary Secretary Srinivas Goud, he said although the JAC leaders have benefitted by participating in the statehood agitation, the retired employees were left to their fate.
The Congress leader also welcomed the constitution of experts committee to revise the syllabus for Telangana State Public Service Commission exams. He requested the government to expedite the process of recruitment as many students were crossing the age bar. He also slammed the government for non-implementation of Financial Assistance for Students of Telangana (FAST) scheme and scholarships. (INN)