Balineni Srinivasa Reddy, Minister of Energy, Forest & Environment, Science & Technology, Andhra Pradesh, has agreed to resolve the grievances raised by the Andhra State Power Employees Joint Action Committee (JAC).
The issues brought to his attention by the agitating power employees include police cases and disciplinary action against themselves. Reddy has assured the JAC that both will be withdrawn, in return for which, the JAC also agreed to withdraw its protests.
Further, the Andhra government will form constituting committees to look into the human resources related issues raised by the JAC. Reddy also stated that the Andhra Pradesh Power Generation Coporation (APGENCO) will continue to be run by the government and not be privatised/franchised, as will the State power utilities. Power will continue to be purchased under the power purchase agreements (PPA).
The modalities of the General Provident Fund (GPF) and Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) will be addressed as per the Government’s mandate.
The JAC members constitute P Chandrasekhar, chairman and B Sai Krishna, convenor who met the minister in the presence of the Energy Secretary Srikant Nagulapalli.
The Energy department has decided to study Gujarat, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Karnataka for their local practices. It will then give its recommendations within 60 days to the problem of outsourcing employees in the power utilities and also on their welfare problems and direct payments.
A committee will also be formed to suggest a cashless scheme on medical policies for the employees, within 30 days.
