Talks failed with employee JAC

Talks between the Chief Minister, Mr K. Rosaiah, and the state employees failed once again on Tuesday with the employees demanding implementation of the pay hike with effect from July 2008.Mr Rosaiah and the employees also disagreed on the percentage of hike. While the Chief Minister agreed to increase it by 38 per cent, the Joint Action Committee of employees demanded 41 per cent.

JAC leaders Mr Gopala Reddy and Mr Swamy Goud said the proposed “Chalo Hyderabad” programme on January 22 and the strike after January 23 have been deferred. “We will wait for the government’s reaction and chalk out our course of action in 10 days,” they said.

According to sources, there was a broad consensus on the pay hike of 38 per cent after the Chief Minister said he would not “budge” further.

The JAC leaders then started demanding that PRC recommendations be implemented in retrospective effect and all the benefits be paid in cash.

The Chief Minister, however, said the recommendations would be implemented from April 2010.

According to him, the earlier pay revision came into force from April 2005 and the new pay will be given after five years. He also offered to extend the benefit from the March salary if employees agree to it.

The JAC argued employees were already put to losses as new pay has been due from July 2008. The government should implement the revised salary from October 2008, the month from when interim relief has been paid, they said.