The State government has decided to harden its stand if the contract and outsourced workers, who are participating in the Telangana strike for the third day, do not resume duties.
In the case of outsourced employees, notices would be given to outsourcing agencies with instructions not to re-deploy those who were abstaining from work. For regular employees, ‘no work, no pay' and other provisions under GO 177 would be enforced.
On an average, about 70 per cent of the employees abstained from work in the districts, affecting government services. In the Secretariat however, the attendance continued to be near normal.
But what engaged the mind of Deputy Chief Minister C. Damodar Rajanarsimha who held a meeting on Thursday morning to review the fallout of the general strike, is the precarious position of coal stocks in the Singareni mines, expected to last two to three days of power generation.
It is hoped that with expected improved attendance of workers from Friday onwards, the coal production will go up and so also the loading, unloading, and transport of stocks to the power generation units with the help of private outsourcing agencies. “However, it is not a panic situation,” sources said.
Meanwhile, coal mines in Karimnagar, Adilabad, and Warangal wore a deserted look while Manuguru, Yellendu, and Sathupalli in Khammam district reported attendance of 30 to 40 per cent, slightly improving the coal production, compared to last two days. Miners staged demonstrations near these units.
Attendance in Government offices continued to be poor in most of the districts barring the State capital and Secretariat.
Cinema theatres remained closed across Telangana region for the second consecutive day in support of the demand for separate State and it is estimated that the State might have incurred a loss of Rs.one crore as entertainment tax and equal amount by exhibitors and theatre owners.
In Karimnagar, administration came to a standstill though the district Collector Smita Sabharwal attended to duty and received petitions. The Warangal collectorate, normally a beehive of activity, however presented a desolate look.
Liquor stocks
In Adilabad, Excise department could not release liquor stocks from AP Beverages Corporation depots with porters joining the strike. Liquor stocks worth Rs.two crore are transhipped to wine shops and bars in the district daily. In Nalgonda, auto drivers participated in the strike and observed a ‘bandh'.
In Warangal, the Telangana Private Schools Association made it clear that it would ensure closure of all private schools in the region for the next two days in support of Telangana.
