TADEPALLI, September 28, 2026 (Journalist File): The use of police action to prevent village and ward secretariat employees from staging peaceful protests is unacceptable, YSRCP Employees and Pensioners Wing state president Nalamaaru Chandrasekhar Reddy said on Monday, alleging that arrests, preventive binding-over cases, criminal cases and suspensions were being used to suppress employees raising their grievances.
Speaking to reporters at the YSRCP central office in Tadepalli, Reddy said the workload on village and ward secretariat employees had increased substantially, with staff being required to work on holidays, festivals and beyond regular working hours. He said employees had resorted to protests after repeated discussions with the government failed to resolve their demands. The government, he said, should address the issues through negotiations rather than police action.
Reddy alleged that more than 30,000 posts were being targeted for reduction in the name of rationalisation. He also alleged that excessive workload and pressure from officials had created serious difficulties for employees, and claimed that more than 100 employees had died by suicide over the past two years. He called for a comprehensive examination of the working conditions and measures to reduce workload.
Calls for Probe Into Police Inspector's Death
Reddy also sought a full investigation into the death of Circle Inspector Sheikh Ahmed Ali during the security arrangements for the secretariat employees' protest. He questioned why employees seeking to hold a peaceful demonstration at Dharna Chowk had been stopped.
According to Reddy, he had received information that the inspector had initially been taken to a hospital after becoming unwell but was subsequently called back for bandobast duty and later collapsed while performing duties in the heat. He said the circumstances surrounding the death should be established through an impartial investigation. Police were reported on Monday to be examining the circumstances of Ali's death, including accounts of what happened during the protest and available evidence.
Demand to Withdraw Suspensions and Cases
Reddy demanded the unconditional withdrawal of suspensions imposed on village and ward secretariat employees and the immediate withdrawal of cases registered in connection with the protests. Instead of intimidating employees who raise workplace concerns, he said, the government should invite them for talks and seek negotiated solutions.
Demands for Promotions and Service Benefits
Reddy called for notional increments and Junior Assistant pay scales for village and ward secretariat employees. He also demanded departmental promotion channels for employees in all 21 categories and urged the government to halt any reduction of posts under the rationalisation process.
He further sought measures to reduce additional workload and prevent employees from being routinely assigned duties on holidays, festivals and after working hours. Pending financial dues and Dearness Allowance arrears owed to employees and pensioners should also be cleared, he said.
Reddy warned that employees and pensioners could launch broader protests if their demands were not addressed and said the YSRCP Employees and Pensioners Wing would extend its support to the ongoing protests by village and ward secretariat employees.
