Panel to study arrears

In a sharp departure from the government’s decision to pay enhanced salary arrears to its staff in the form of bonds, Finance Minister Etala Rajender told the Legislative Council that a committee would now examine whether to go ahead with bonds or pay the arrears in cash or remit to the Provident Fund accounts of employees.

Turning to members sitting beside him, Mr. Rajender said, “You have given us a shock,” and hence, the committee will look into the issue. The reference to “shock” was interpreted as the loss of the ruling TRS in the election to the graduates’ constituency from Hyderabad.