PACS employees on the warpath

Some 10,000 employees working in primary agriculture cooperative societies (PACS) in the State have decided to submit memoranda to DCCB chairpersons on Saturday and launch relay fasts in front of the banks from February 9, according to V. Krishnam Raju, State general secretary of A.ndhra Pradesh PACS Staff Association, affiliated to the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC).

Addressing a press conference on Friday, Mr. Raju said former Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy had conceded their demands and issued G.O. 151 in June 2009 but it was never implemented following objections raised by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD).

Following indefinite strike by the employees later, the government appointed a Cabinet sub-committee but the committee's report had not been made public till date, he said.

Meagre salaries

The government had conceded their demand that 50 per cent of vacancies in DCCBs must be filled by eligible PACS employees.

Direct recruitment

Contrary to the assurance, arrangements were being made to fill vacancies through direct recruitment, he alleged.

Though PACS employees had been working for years on meagre salaries and job insecurity, the government had not conceded their demands, he said.

Association district president A. Appala Naidu, secretary V. Sanyasi Rao and State treasurer P. Bhaskara Rao were present.