From Our Correspondent
Amaravati: Employee unions across Andhra Pradesh have welcomed the State Cabinet’s decision to raise the retirement age of employees in public sector undertakings (PSUs) and government-run societies from 60 to 62 years, describing it as a major relief measure for thousands of workers.
A delegation of employee association leaders met Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Monday to thank him for the decision, as well as for the Cabinet’s approval to extend the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) to employees recruited through notifications issued before September 2004.
Union representatives said the decisions address long-pending demands and would provide financial security to employees and their families. They noted that the coalition government had taken several steps since assuming office to resolve employee-related issues and improve service conditions.
The leaders told the Chief Minister that the government’s willingness to address longstanding concerns had boosted confidence among employees. They also appreciated the decisions being taken despite the state’s fiscal constraints.
Interacting with the delegation, Chandrababu Naidu said government employees play a crucial role in delivering services and implementing development programmes. He urged employees to work with commitment for the welfare of the people and contribute to the state’s growth agenda.
The Chief Minister also called upon employee organisations to work collectively towards the development of Andhra Pradesh and support the government’s efforts to build a stronger economy and more efficient administration.
The delegation included APNGO Association President Vidyasagar and General Secretary Prasad, AP Secretariat Employees Association President Ramakrishna and General Secretary Napa Prasad, besides representatives of CPS employees’ associations, PSU employees’ organisations, Gurukul and society employees’ unions, and DSC-2003 teachers’ associations.
The Cabinet decisions are expected to benefit a large number of employees across state-run institutions while addressing key pension and retirement-related concerns that have remained unresolved for years.