TJAC staff stir threat moves government to act

HYDERABAD: Fearing an administrative breakdown in the event of the Telangana joint action committee of employees, teachers and workers carrying out their strike threat from Aug 1, the State government is drawing up various strategies including invoking the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) and roping in retired staff.At a high-level meeting with senior officials at his chambers in the Secretariat here on Wednesday, Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy is learnt to have instructed them not to hesitate in taking stringent action against striking employees and workers. Sources say the government is contemplating ESMA and is even weighing the option of booking criminal cases against the employees who obstruct emergency services.Unlike in the past, the government has this time decided to implement the ‘No Work, No Pay’ policy to deter the employees from going on a strike. Certain departments, including medical and health, rural development and municipal administration, are likely to be brought under the emergency services category. The civil supplies department has been directed to transport stocks in advance and the health department asked to ensure ample supply of medicines at all hospitals before the strike commences. The officials were also instructed to ensure that distribution of social security pensions, amounts pertaining to fee reimbursement and scholarships and other such welfare schemes are not delayed due to the strike.To ensure no disruption of services, the government has also decided to utilise the services of retired government officers and employees for running the administration. Similarly, the government is also likely to terminate the services of contract employees who participate in the strike. The heads of departments and various government offices were asked to maintain attendance record of employees who take part in the strike and submit timely reports.Reacting sharply to the government directions, TJAC employees announced that they will not bow down to threats. TJAC leaders including its chairman K Swamy Goud said they had decided to go ahead with the strike.