Following protest from government employees and political parties in Telangana, the Andhra Pradesh government Saturday decided to keep on hold a controversial Government Order (GO 177) to enforce "no work, no pay" policy for employees participating in strike for a separate Telangana state.
The state cabinet, which met here Saturday, decided to keep the GO 177 in abeyance in view of the objections being raised by the employees and leaders of various parties, including the ruling Congress party.
Ministers from Telangana conveyed their strong views to Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy, saying if the GO 177 was not withdrawn, they would have to face a difficult situation in the region from those fighting for separate statehood.
Finance Minister Anam Ramnarayan Reddy told reporters that a three-member cabinet sub-committee will review the GO. The panel will look into objections from the employees and, if necessary, hold talks with their leaders.
Meanwhile, the joint action committee (JAC) of government employees in Telangana has urged the government to withdraw the GO 177. The JAC decided to stage protests against the order across the region April 18 to 25.
Pro-Telangana parties have alleged that the GO issued early this week was aimed at suppressing the ongoing movement for separate Telangana state. The government, through this order, had directed various departments to strictly enforce "no work, no pay" policy against the employees disturbing the work scheduled and atmosphere in government offices.
The government, however, clarified that it was not a new policy decision or rule.
The government employees in Telangana had participated in non-cooperation movement in February, demanding the central government table a bill in parliament to carve out a separate state.
Some groups of employees have threatened to launch indefinite strike next month to intensify the Telangana movement.