Jagan demands judicial probe into lathi-charge on secretariat staff

YSR Congress Party leader Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy called on Sunday for a judicial investigation into the police lathi-charge on secretariat employees during their protest in Vijayawada. In a social media post, Mr. Jagan accused the police of assaulting women employees seeking resolution for their service demands. He questioned the government's decision to hinder the employees' right to a dharna rather than engage in dialogue with them.

Mr. Jagan demanded Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu order the inquiry, apologize to the employees, and revoke suspensions issued against them. He alleged that the government has failed to fulfill commitments on Interim Relief (IR), Pay Revision Commission (PRC), five delayed Dearness Allowance (DA) payments, and surrender leave.

Mr. Jagan claimed the employees' unpaid dues total around ₹40,000 crore. The former Chief Minister accused the current coalition government of undermining the village and ward secretariat system established during his YSRCP administration. He said the system, meant to deliver over 540 government services at the village and ward level, was rationalized, putting approximately 30,000 permanent jobs at risk.

Mr. Jagan also alleged that earlier workload of village and ward volunteers was shifted to secretariat employees, causing them excessive stress. He claimed that around 100 employees had died from stress and suicide in the past two-and-a-half years. Mr. Jagan promised that if his party returns to power, his government will strengthen the secretariat system and address employees' grievances.

He vowed to complete the remaining two-and-a-half years of the present government's term quickly and assured village and ward secretariat employees of action under a future YSRCP administration.