AP offers 5-day week, more HRA to shift staff

Divisions have surfaced among the Andhra Pradesh government staff in Hyderabad about starting work in the new capital of Amaravati by the deadline set by the State government of June 27. While some are prepared to go back to their capital, some are complaining about the lack of infrastructure facilities in Amaravati. Till Friday when they met State Chief Secretary SP Tucker, there were no divisions among the staff, but suddenly there was a split in the staff ranks. The government put the deadline of June 27 for the staff to start working in the new capital. They were in fact told to come lock, stock and barrel, carrying their respective chairs and tables to the new capital. The department heads were told to find whether the office accommodation in the New Seretariat at Velagapudi was suitable to them. If it was not, they were told to look for alternative accommodation within the jurisdiction of Capital Regional Development Authority. In any case, they should start work by June 27. The government has since offered them certain sops such as five-day week and additional House Rent Allowance since rents were already inflated by landlords in the capital region.