Revanth Reddy urges govt staff to work extra hour, vows welfare measures

Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy appealed to government employees to work an extra hour daily to boost State revenues, assuring them that the funds would be used for their welfare. He admitted being called a "Gumpu Mestri" and emphasised his bond with employees.

Hyderabad: After failing to deliver the promises made to government employees, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Thursday appealed to them to work an extra hour a day and help increase the State’s income.

“Increase income and the government will use it to fulfil your requirements. Please cooperate and let us bring about change,” the Chief Minister said after signing agreements with banks to extend accidental insurance coverage to government employees.

---

Addressing the gathering, he reiterated that the State government would take all necessary steps to fulfil its promise of implementing a Pay Revision Commission (PRC) for employees. He directed Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka to initiate measures to honour the commitment and win the confidence of employees.

The Chief Minister said many people were evading tax payments and that it was the responsibility of employees to identify such cases. He said GST collections had increased recently and revenues from other departments had also gone up. According to him, the additional revenue was being used for employee welfare.

Revanth Reddy also reiterated that he was working for 16 to 18 hours a day. He said major projects, including Metro, Musi and Bharat Future City, were now reaching a decisive stage.

“Why will I go to Delhi? What is there? The purpose is to secure permissions for projects and ensure development,” he said.

The Chief Minister stated that the State government had filled 70,000 vacancies across departments. “You should analyse the financial burden on the government due to these recruitments,” he told employees.

He said the government was facing challenges in extending retirement benefits, paying salaries to seven lakh employees and bearing the financial burden arising from the recruitment of 70,000 new employees.

The State government was also facing difficulties in paying salaries on the first day of every month, he said. Retirement benefits amounting to Rs 1,000 crore every month had added to the burden. Despite these challenges, the government was releasing Rs 750 crore every month towards retirement benefits, he added.

Admits being ‘Gumpu Mestri’

Amid criticism from various quarters, Revanth Reddy said he did not mind being called a “Gumpu Mestri” (mason).

Pointing to Cabinet ministers on the stage, he said: “This gumpu belongs to me and I am the Gumpu Mestri. Employees are also part of the gang.”

He said employees served as a bridge between the government and the people and played a key role in delivering welfare benefits. “They are my strength,” he said.

“Positions are temporary. When you call me Revanth Anna affectionately, I like it. This brotherhood relationship is permanent,” he added.