Telangana strike: JAC invited for talks on Aug 5

The Andhra Pradesh Cabinet sub-committee on employees has decided to invite the Telangana Employees Joint Action Committee for talks on August 5 to resolve their pending grievances and avert a strike.

The Telangana Employees JAC already served a notice to the government that it would launch an indefinite general strike from August 17 primarily in support of the demand for creation of a separate state. It has also submitted a charter of demands that include appointing a judicial commission to look into irregularities in appointments and deputations in violation of zonal regulations.

The Cabinet sub-committee comprising the deputy chief minister and four other ministers met in Hyderabad on Wednesday to discuss the JAC's demands and the steps to be taken to avert the strike. Chief Secretary S V Prasad and other top officials too attended the meeting.

"We have decided to invite the JAC leaders for talks on the August 5. We appeal to them not to resort to any action that will affect the administration and cause inconvenience to people," Finance Minister Aanam Ramanarayana Reddy told reporters after the meeting.

He said most of the demands raised by the JAC had already been conceded and necessary orders issued. Any pending issue would be discussed at the meeting with JAC leaders on the 5th for necessary remedial action, he added.