While the State government is in the process of setting up a temporary capital near Vijayawada, the first batch of government employees, who have been transferred to the city, are worried about the paltry facilities in the city and uncertainties associated with the relocation.
Forty-five-year-old Secretariat employee Narendra (name changed) from Hyderabad cannot accept that he has to work in an environment that offers poor facilities.
Incidentally, for officials, shifting to Vijayawada or one of the river-front villages in a month or two is mandatory.
“We have been asked to be prepared to work without fan or air-conditioner. We have been told that installing fan or A/C may not be possible, and that air-cooler could be arranged,” he says.
Sources say the government is planning a temporary facility in the capital region to accommodate the first batch of employees. Some buildings will just have asbestos roofs, according to a builder.
The challenge is bigger for Swarna (name changed), a contract staffer, who has an ailing mother and a mentally-challenged brother to look after. “The shift is mandatory, and I can’t afford it with my salary, which is less than Rs. 10,000. I have applied for some private job here. I’ll be lucky if I get one before April,” she says.
The government is heavily relying on contract staff, but the benefits or additional financial incentives have not been specified. Survival for contract employees will be a challenge with the current pay, according to her.
Efforts to reach officials for further details in this regard were not fruitful.
The shift is mandatory, and I can’t afford it with my salary, which is less than Rs. 10,000. I have applied for some private job here. I’ll be lucky if I get one before April.
Swarna (Name changed)
Contract staffer
We have been asked to be prepared to work without fan or air-conditioner. We have been told that installing fan or A/C may not be possible, and that air-cooler could be arranged.
Narendra (name changed)
Secretariat employee
