Amaravati: 27 per cent interim relief to government employees pending the report of the pay revision committee was approved by the newly constituted Andhra Pradesh Cabinet yesterday. Other important decisions relating to the YSR Congress’ electoral promises were also taken.
According to media reports, the interim relief will be granted from 1 July and benefit around four lakh government employees in the State. It will cost the exchequer Rs 815 crore.
Scrapping of the contributory pension scheme, which is a long-pending demand of government employees, was taken yesterday under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Y S Jaganmohan Reddy during the five-and-a-half hour Cabinet meeting.
A committee headed by the Finance Minister to look into various aspects related to scrapping of contributory pension scheme was constituted.
Jaganmohan also warned his other colleagues if they faced any corruption charges, they would be dismissed forthwith, and that no effort should be spared to root out the practice.
Another high-level committee with finance and transport ministers and experts to study the possibilities of merging the AP State Road Transport Corporation with the state government.
Rythu Bharosa, a financial assistance scheme for farmers, would be implemented from 15 October, said minister Perni Venkata Ramaiah, speaking to reporters after the meeting.
Every farmer would be given a sum of Rs 12,500 per annum towards input costs under the scheme. Women would be given Rs 15,000 each for sending their children to school under the Amma Odi scheme and it would be implemented from 26 January 2020.
Social security pensions to various categories would be increased from Rs 2,000 to Rs 2,250 from this month. The pension amount would be increased to Rs 3,000 a month, with a Rs 250 increase per annum over the next four years, and monthly salary of ASHA workers would be increased from Rs 3,000 to Rs 10,000.
The chief minister would also head the AP State Farmers’ Commission and it is likely to be set up soon. Various issues related to the growth of the agriculture sector, welfare of farmers and operation of the Rs 3,000 Market Stabilization Fund recently announced by the CM would be looked into by the Commission.
An interest-free loan scheme for farmers in the name of Jaganmohan’s father, late Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy would also be implemented, and interest to banks on behalf of the farmers would be paid by the government, said a report.
The government would also immediately pay the input subsidy arrears to farmers, amounting to over Rs 2,000 crore, pending for over four years now. The Cabinet also decided to proportionately enhance wages of Anganwadi workers, mid-day meal scheme workers and sanitation workers, the minister elaborated.