YSRCP Employees and Pensioners Wing State president Nalamaaru Chandrasekhar Reddy on Tuesday criticised Revenue Minister Anagani Satya Prasad for allegedly threatening employee union leaders, saying government employees would not be intimidated for raising their legitimate demands and seeking their dues.

Speaking at the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) Central Office, Mr. Chandrasekhar Reddy said that in his 40 years of service, he had never seen a Chief Minister or Minister treat employees in such a manner. Government employees were not slaves but the backbone of the administration and played a crucial role in implementing welfare programmes, he said.

Mr. Chandrasekhar Reddy alleged that the coalition government had failed to fulfil any of its promises to employees and pensioners during its 27-month tenure. He demanded immediate clearance of nearly ₹40,000 crore in pending dues towards the General Provident Fund (GPF), Andhra Pradesh Group Life Insurance (APGLI), retirement benefits, Pay Revision Commission (PRC) and dearness allowance (DA).

He said 40 days had passed since the July 22 meeting with the Group of Ministers, but the government had taken no decision on the issues raised by employees. The government had also failed to address issues relating to the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), Guaranteed Pension Scheme (GPS), 12th PRC and Interim Relief, while five DAs remained pending, he alleged.

He demanded restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), implementation of the 12th PRC, payment of at least 30% Interim Relief, clearance of pending dues and restoration of the Employees Health Scheme.

Mr. Chandrasekhar Reddy warned that nearly 13 lakh employees and pensioners could take to the streets if the government failed to address their grievances.