JAC seeks immediate pay revision for power employees in Andhra

The Andhra Pradesh State Power Employees Joint Action Committee (APSPEJAC) has urgently demanded that the State government commence the pay revision process for 2026, which was originally set to begin on April 1, 2026. The JAC is also urging the formation of a unified in-house negotiating committee, including representatives from APTRANSCO, APGENCO and the three DISCOMs, to facilitate these negotiations.

Chairman Ganapati V.S.R.K. and convenor M.V. Raghava Reddy stated that the previous pay revision period, as per the wage agreement signed on August 16, 2023, was from April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2026. Despite multiple appeals, the government has not convened a committee or commenced discussions, leaving employees, pensioners and family pensioners in a state of uncertainty.

APSPEJAC noted that power employees have been working tirelessly, despite shortages of staff, heavy workloads and the expansion of transmission and distribution networks and consumer base. They have been working round the clock to ensure uninterrupted power supply during emergencies like cyclones, floods, heavy rains and extreme temperatures.

APSPEJAC attributed the enhancements in power supply, transmission and distribution efficiency, improved financial performance of power utilities and consumer satisfaction to the dedication of these employees. However, rising costs of essential items such as food, fuel, housing, education and healthcare have eroded the real value of employees' and pensioners' incomes, increasing their financial burden.

The JAC is calling for an immediate start to the negotiations, with a retrospective effect from April 1, 2026, and a fair revision of pay scales. It also seeks a parallel revision of pension and family pension linked to the revised pay scales. APSPEJAC pledged its full cooperation in the negotiation process and expressed its desire for an agreeable pay revision agreement through consultations and coordination.