Uttam Kumar Reddy Demands Regularisation Of JPSs

Nalgonda MP & former TPCC president Uttam Kumar Reddy today demanded that the State government regularize the services of the striking Junior Panchayat Secretaries and address their other concerns.

In an open letter to Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao, Reddy called for immediate action to end the 13-day strike of the JPSs which was stalling development in the villages.

He said that the JPSs had completed their three-year probationary period on April 11, 2022, and were expecting regularization. However, the CM announced in the Assembly that the probationary period would be extended by another year. Despite their completing this extension too on April 11, the government was yet to make a decision on regularization, prompting the secretaries to go on strike, Reddy said.

He emphasized that failure to fulfill promises made in the Assembly would reflect poorly on the State's governance.

He also asserted that the striking secretaries had valid demands, including the immediate regularization of their positions, but instead of addressing their concerns, the BRS government had threatened to remove them from their duties if they did not end the strike and return to work.

He said that the secretaries handled 56 types of duties and maintained more than 42 records in the Gram Panchayat, often working 12-hour days. The intense workload and lack of regularization had severe consequences, with some secretaries committing suicides due to mental anguish, and 44 others dying from health-related issues, Reddy claimed.

The Congress MP urged the State government to regularize their services without delay. He also said that the Congress would not only support their struggle, but also prepare for direct action on their behalves if the government failed to address their concerns.

He also demanded that the government provide compassionate appointments for the family members of the deceased secretaries, regularize OPS (Out Sourcing Secretary) positions, and grant six months of maternity leave and 90 days of child care leave for female JPSs.