Guntur, April 3: The conferment of legal status on Amaravati as the permanent capital of Andhra Pradesh has brought an end to the prolonged uncertainty among government employees, the Guntur district president of the AP Non-Gazetted Government Officers (NGGOs) Association said on Friday.

Addressing a press conference at the NGGOs Home in Guntur, district president Ghantasala Srinivasarao said that nearly 40,000 employees working in Heads of Departments (HODs) and their families had finally emerged from the shadow of doubt that had lingered over the question of the State capital's location. "This decision has restored confidence and brought a sense of stability among the workforce," he said.

Expressing gratitude to both the Central and State governments for establishing a permanent capital and giving the State a distinct identity, Mr. Srinivasarao also welcomed the release of ₹7,358.33 crore in arrears to employees, teachers, and pensioners at the close of the financial year, describing it as a significant measure to ease their financial burden.

The released amount comprises ₹1,847.83 crore under the General Provident Fund (GPF), ₹3,411.03 crore towards gratuity, ₹1,800 crore for leave encashment of retired employees, and ₹223.47 crore as additional surrender leave for police personnel. He said these payments would contribute meaningfully to employee welfare.

Mr. Srinivasarao commended the efforts of Association state president Alaparthi Vidyasagar and general secretary D.V. Ramana, noting that the government's constructive approach and the ongoing coordination between the administration and the union had yielded tangible benefits for employees.

State vice-president Sheikh Nagoor Sharif said that ₹1,847.83 crore under GPF had already been credited to accounts, and payments of ₹76 crore under Group Insurance had been completed. He added that the decision on Amaravati as capital, along with the release of arrears, would contribute to the State's development and administrative stability.

Among those present at the event were district co-president Ch. Rambabau, vice-president B. Durgarao, joint secretaries Jani Bhasha, B. Krishna Kishor, K. Narasimharao and K. Vijay, Guntur City secretary Ch. Kalyan Kumar, city vice-presidents Sambasiva Rao, Murali Krishna, Ankamma Rao and Srinivasarao, Pattipadu president K. Seshagiri Raju, and Amaravati secretary Sheikh Kareem.

Clear bills of small contractors : CM

Amaravati : Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu directed officials of Finance department to  clear pending bills inherited from the previous government. During the meeting, the Chief Minister enquired about the status of pending payments to serving and retired government employees and issued directives  for clearing these dues.
As per the directions of the Chief Minister, steps have been initiated to release pending bills amounting to Rs 7,358 crore, providing significant relief to employees.

Officials informed that Rs 1,848 crore towards Provident Fund dues has  been credited directly into employees’ accounts and Rs 76 crore has been disbursed under Group Life Insurance covering 4,793 beneficiaries.The other 
payments in progress include Rs 3,411 crore towards gratuity dues,  Rs 1,800 crore towards leave encashment for retired employees and  Rs 223 crore towards additional surrendered leave dues for police personnel.
These payments are expected to be completed within the next two days.
The Chief Minister directed that all pending dues, including employee-related and other bills, should be cleared systematically based on fund availability.

During the review, past issues related to employee funds under the previous regime were also discussed. It was noted that diversion of employee funds had caused hardships, and even those who raised concerns reportedly faced legal harassment.
The Chief Minister also reviewed pending payments to contractors and material suppliers. Officials stated that Rs 614 crore has already been paid to small contractors for works executed and materials supplied.
The Chief Minister emphasized that priority must be given to small contractors in clearing pending bills going forward.