Hyderabad: Deputy chief minister Bhatti Vikramarka on Monday said the term of the Pay Revision Commission (PRC) is up to March 31, 2026, and that the state govt will take a decision to implement the new pay scales for govt employees once the report is submitted.Replying to questions raised by BRS MLA T Harish Rao, among others, on employees’ and pensioners’ issues during the question hour in the assembly, Bhatti said the Congress govt has cleared three DAs that were left pending by the previous BRS govt. There are four more DAs pending, and the govt would implement them in a phased manner.In fact, the previous BRS govt, with the intention of avoiding payment of retirement benefits to govt employees, had increased the retirement age from 58 to 61 years, and for Class IV employees, from 60 to 65 years.“Due to this increase in retirement age, the previous govt escaped the burden of paying retirement benefits to 17,000 employees. This burden fell on the Congress govt. When our (Congress) govt came to power, the previous BRS govt left behind arrears of 40,150 crore. A white paper was released in the assembly on this issue. Of these, 4,575 crore were pending bills related to employees,” Bhatti said.The deputy CM informed the House that the Congress govt has been regularly paying 700 crore every month to clear pending employee bills. “We are also considering a policy decision to increase this monthly payment from 700 crore to 1,000 crore to expedite clearance of arrears. Since coming to power, our govt has cleared approximately 6,146 crore related to govt employees,” Bhatti said.“With a humane approach, the cabinet has introduced cashless medical treatment cards for employees. During the BRS govt tenure, employee unions struggled for nearly 10 years, demanding health cards. The incumbent govt is also implementing 1.25 crore accident insurance for govt employees. In the event of an accidental death of a govt employee, the accident insurance scheme provides 1.25 crore to the family,” he added.The deputy CM said during the previous BRS govt, there were restrictions on employees. Leaders of employee unions have been given complete freedom to meet the CM, deputy CM, and ministers at any time.“The BRS govt created financial destruction, weakened systems, and left the state in a condition where even paying salaries to employees became difficult. The Congress govt is committed to the welfare of govt employees. During the BRS govt, salaries were paid to employees only after the 15th of every month. Since our govt assumed office, salaries were being credited on the 1st of every month without delay,” Bhatti said.Speaking during the question hour, Harish Rao said Bhatti was evading answers to his questions. “When will the govt give the pending five DAs? Congress had promised to implement a new PRC within three months of assuming power in its election manifesto. Two and a half years have passed since they came to power; there is still no PRC. Will they grant another extension?” he asked.Harish urged the govt to ensure PRC was implemented or inform the House when it would be done. “In the past, the KCR govt had provided Interim Relief (IR) to the employees; will this govt increase the IR to provide some relief to the employees?” he asked.Harish also highlighted the hardships being faced by retired employees for not getting their retirement benefits. “The deputy CM must clarify when the arrears will be cleared. This govt claims to have money for Future City and Musi projects, but when it comes to the employees’ PRC and DA arrears, there is no money?” he asked.
