Hans News Service Hyderabad

TheTelangana State United Teachers’ Federation leadership met with the Chairman of the Second Pay Revision Commission, Shivashankar, and member A Ramaiah, to press for enhanced House Rent Allowance for employees in newly upgraded urban areas. State President Chava Ravi, General Secretary A Venkat, and Treasurer T Lakshma Reddy submitted a memorandum requesting that a 17 per cent HRA be recommended for municipal corporations and a 13 per cent HRA for municipalities. This proposal specifically includes villages located within an eight-kilometre radius of the city outskirts. During the meeting, PRC Chairman Shivashankar clarified that recommendations would be based on the status prevailing as of 1 July 2023. However, he assured that the Commission would suggest to the government that HRA be granted directly to cities and towns upgraded after that date, using population criteria as the guiding factor for the disbursements.

The delegation emphasised that employees working in newly upgraded corporations face rising living costs and deserve parity with those in established urban centres. They argued that enhanced HRA is essential to ensure fairness and to reflect the current realities of rapid urban expansion across the state. Following the meeting, the delegation also submitted a memorandum to the Principal Secretary of the Finance Department at the Secretariat. They urged the immediate sanction of enhanced HRA for eligible areas, citing Government Order 53 of the previous PRC as a precedent. The leaders reiterated their commitment to securing improved allowances, stressing that the issue affects the welfare of thousands of workers. They called upon the government to act swiftly to implement these essential recommendations.