Hyderabad: The Telangana government is considering steps to implement the long-pending Pay Revision Commission (PRC). Officials may first obtain the committee report and examine its recommendations before taking a final decision.
The government is also studying the state’s financial position before deciding the fitment percentage. Employee groups have recently stepped up direct protests over their long-pending demands.
Against this backdrop, officials are reportedly examining whether they can first obtain and study the PRC report. The government is also considering measures to address pending benefits of retired employees.
The plan could include clearing more than Rs 1,500 crore in retirement benefits every month from next month. Officials are assessing the financial requirements before finalising the payment schedule.
Meanwhile, the government expects employee votes to matter in upcoming municipal and graduate constituency elections. It therefore faces pressure to address employee concerns before those polls.
The government plans to hold Greater Hyderabad, Cyberabad and Malkajgiri municipal corporation elections by December. Two graduate constituency elections would follow in March for Hyderabad-Rangareddy-Mahabubnagar and Khammam-Nalgonda-Warangal.
Employee participation could prove important in both elections. Therefore, officials believe delaying the PRC announcement could create political difficulties at the grassroots level.
The government is consequently considering implementation of the pending PRC. At the same time, it wants to clear retirement benefits before the election schedule advances.
Telangana PRC implementation faces fitment uncertainty
The previous BRS government formed the PRC committee on October 2, 2023, shortly before the Assembly elections. It appointed retired IAS officer N. Shivashankar as chairman and retired IAS officer Ramaiah as a member.
The government also announced 5% interim relief and implemented it from October 2023. However, the Congress government kept the PRC issue pending amid financial pressures during its first two years in office.
Employee and pensioner groups have recently intensified demands for PRC implementation. In response, the government has reportedly sought details about the committee’s recommendations.
Officials have also collected views from employees and pensioners on the proposed fitment percentage. They have reportedly prepared information on the state’s financial position as well.
Sources said officials had completed the groundwork needed to submit the report whenever the government seeks it. The final decision will depend on the recommendations and available financial resources.
Employees and teachers are hoping for a substantial fitment based on previous revisions. Telangana implemented 43% fitment in 2015 after the formation of the state.
The first PRC committee in Telangana had recommended only 7.5% fitment. However, the then BRS government announced a much higher 30% fitment.
Employees and pensioners are therefore expecting the Revanth Reddy government to consider a significant increase. However, officials believe the current financial position may limit the scope for a large fitment.
The state already provides 5% interim relief to employees. Six dearness allowance instalments also remain pending.
The government may consider merging the pending DA instalments with the fitment while announcing the PRC. However, officials have not yet finalised the approach.
A senior IAS officer said the government could establish a third PRC soon. The proposed deadline could require the commission to submit its report before the 2028 Assembly elections.