Continued from P1

Bopparaju said government data comparing southern states put Andhra Pradesh’s salary and pension expenditure at around 60 per cent of tax revenue in 2024-25 and 59 per cent in 2025-26.

“The entire revenue is not being consumed by employees. The government itself has submitted these figures to the CAG,” Bopparaju pointed out, while questioning why the White Paper did not present employee expenditure as a proportion of total revenue expenditure.

Bopparaju said the approximately Rs 30,000 crore paid by the present government towards employee-related liabilities should not be portrayed simply as fresh expenditure on serving employees. A substantial portion, he said, related to GPF, APGLI and medical reimbursement amounts accumulated by employees during their service and paid after retirement. He said many retirees had been waiting for nearly two years even for gratuity, while payments towards surrendered leave were also pending for serving employees and police personnel.

The union leader argued that employee expenditure would naturally decline as large numbers retire. As many as 41,321 employees retired between 2024 and 2026; 13,643 in 2024, 13,583 in 2025, and 14,095 in 2026. Another 1.51 lakh employees are expected to retire in the coming years, at an estimated 14,000–15,000 annually, he said.

Bopparaju said the NDA coalition government had promised an improved Pay Revision Commission (PRC), Interim Relief (IR), a review of CPS/GPS, restoration of additional quantum of pension, a Pension Corporation and welfare measures for contractual and outsourced employees.

However, more than two years after the government assumed office, employees were still waiting for decisions, he said. “Why did the White Paper not address the five pending DA instalments, Interim Relief, appointment of a PRC Commissioner, restoration of additional pension, and employee health cards?” he questioned.

APJAC Amaravati demanded immediate appointment of a PRC Commissioner, release of the five pending DA instalments, disclosure of outstanding arrears and payment schedules, and a review of CPS/GPS. It also sought restoration of additional pension, establishment of a Pension Corporation, and welfare measures for contractual and outsourced staff. Bopparaju warned that if the government failed to provide clarity, APJAC Amaravati would launch a joint action plan with like-minded associations after August 15.

Meanwhile, APNGO chairman A Vidyasagar said employee expenditure was below 38 per cent of total revenue expenditure and was comparable with that of Telangana.

He said employees had not received DA for two years, despite the Centre and other states generally releasing DA every six months and undertaking PRC revisions every five years.