In a major relief for contract employees within Andhra Pradesh’s Panchayat Raj engineering departments, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan has announced the release of pending salaries, which had accumulated under the previous administration. The initiative, spearheaded by Pawan Kalyan, will benefit technical staff across the state, including those in the Panchayat Raj Engineering (PR) offices and the Engineer-in-Chief (ENC) office.
Following Pawan Kalyan’s directive, Krishna Teja, the Principal Secretary and Commissioner of Panchayat Raj and Rural Development, has begun implementing the salary distribution process. Along with the release of salaries, the department has also initiated measures to reinstate benefits such as Provident Fund (PF), Employee State Insurance (ESI), and insurance coverage for these employees.
Contract workers, previously paid sporadically, will now be shifted to a monthly salary schedule. The Panchayat Raj and Rural Development Department has allocated Rs 24 crore to address outstanding salaries, a move that has been widely welcomed by the affected employees. Pawan Kalyan’s decision marks a significant step toward job security for contract employees, ensuring stability comparable to other staff under the employment guarantee scheme.
Background and Measures Taken
These contract employees, including technical assistants, computer operators, and attendants, number approximately 670 across Andhra Pradesh. Originally hired to oversee rural infrastructure projects, their roles became critical as the demand for rural development projects, such as cement road construction, surged. In response to the increasing workload, around 56 staff members were deployed at the mandal and ENC levels to aid in project oversight.
Under the prior government, delayed payments led to protests, with wages ultimately withheld over the past year. Although higher authorities had recommended employee layoffs, Pawan Kalyan’s administration has chosen to restore salaries instead, reflecting the coalition government’s commitment to employee welfare.
Contract staff are expected to receive pending dues by next month, with assurances of sustained job security and prompt salary payments moving forward.