Latest news with #APCOS
Hans India
28-07-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Handing over of sanitation works to contractors strongly opposed
Nellore: The workers of Nellore Municipal Corporation on Sunday took part in a rally under the aegis of the Andhra Pradesh Workers and Employees Union (APW&EU) protesting against handing over of sanitary works in the 9th division to contractors. The rally was taken out from Jyotirao Phule statue to CPM office located at Balaji Nagar centre in the city. On the occasion, the protesters raised slogans against the TDP-led coalition government for handing over the works in Nellore Municipal Corporation to private persons. Speaking on the occasion, APW&EU honorary president K Srinivasulu said that during the YSRCP regime, workers discharged duties under outsourcing concept and under the banner of Andhra Pradesh Corporation For Outsourced Services (APCOS) receiving the salaries directly from the government exchequer. He alleged that after the coalition government came to power in 2024 elections, government brought the workers under private system by abolishing the APCOS only due to political reasons. He criticised Minister of Municipal Administration and Urban Development Ponguru Narayana for introducing the system of handing over the works to private persons. He said that such a system will lead to workers losing their rights as they would become slaves to the private contractors. He warned of intensifying the stir at the State-level if the government fails to rollback such a system.
New Indian Express
17-07-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Guntur Municipal Corporation repairs pipeline, restores water supply
GUNTUR: The Guntur Municipal Corporation has restored most of the disrupted drinking water supply caused by a breach near Nulakapeta and a strike by contract workers, with full restoration expected by Thursday morning. In-charge Municipal Commissioner Challa Obulesu said that a damaged raw water pipeline from Undavalli had been swiftly repaired. Meanwhile, 27 APCOS workers, including key technicians, returned to work at the headwater works, resuming operations such as pumping and filtration. To mitigate shortages, the municipal call centre (0863-2345103) coordinated tanker supply under the supervision of AE-level officials. In a separate advisory, Commissioner Puli Srinivasulu addressed concerns about turbidity in the drinking water, which is sourced from the Prakasam Barrage, currently receiving water from the Godavari via the Pattiseema Lift Irrigation Water Scheme. Stating that the Godavari water has high mud content, he instructed intensified filtration and proper chlorine and alum dosing. AE-level staff and ward secretaries have been directed to monitor water quality through sampling at tail-end points across the city. Srinivasulu urged residents to continue boiling water for the next few days and assured private tankers would be deployed if needed.
Time of India
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Vijayawada Municipal Corporation workers intensify indefinite strike demanding wage hike and welfare benefits
Vijayawada: Over 650 workers under the engineering wing of the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) intensified their indefinite strike, demanding a hike in wages and restoration of welfare benefits. The strike, which began on June 25, brought essential services like street lighting, water supply, and drainage maintenance to a standstill. The workers, employed under a contract outsourcing system through APCOS (Andhra Pradesh Corporation for Outsourced Services), are demanding the implementation of minimum wages as per GO No. 34. They seek ₹21,000 per month for lower-level workers and ₹24,500 for higher-level workers. Currently, many earn just ₹12,000 and claim their wages were not revised in eight years. The workers are also protesting the suspension of govt welfare schemes for their families. They want their children to be eligible for schemes like Talliki Vandanam. Additionally, they are seeking permanent employment under APCOS, ₹10 lakh insurance coverage for workers who die on duty, a job for one family member of the deceased, and a monthly pension of ₹10,000 for retirees. CITU leader Praveen stated, "We handle crucial services like water, street lights, and drainage, yet our hard work is ignored. The govt has not held any meaningful talks even after a week of striking." A protest camp has been set up at Dharna Chowk in Vijayawada. In response, VMC commissioner Dhyan Chandra HM urged the workers to call off their strike and resume duties. He assured them that a group of ministers, appointed by chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu, would soon look into their demands and work on a resolution. A review meeting was held at the VMC headquarters on Tuesday, attended by chief engineer R Srinath Reddy, supervising engineer (projects) P Satyakumari, union leaders, and engineering department workers.
The Hindu
26-06-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
AP JAC urges govt. to implement HR policy for outsourcing employees
The AP JAC (Amaravati) and the Contract and Outsourcing Employees Association have urged the State's coalition government to implement a dedicated Human Resource Policy for outsourcing employees, similar to the provisions extended to SERP and MEPMA employees. A delegation led by AP JAC Chairman Bopparaju, Association President K. Suman, General Secretary E. Madhu Babu, and Vice President Pasupuleti Shiva Saida Rao submitted a detailed memorandum to the Finance Minister and AP COS study committee member Payyavula Keshav on Thursday. The association highlighted the high hopes outsourcing employees had from the current coalition government, especially given the pro-employee steps taken during the 2014–19 TDP tenure. These included a 50% salary hike, GO granting ₹15,000 towards miscellaneous expenses, GO granting 180 days of maternity leave to female employees, and GO providing ex gratia for accidental or natural death. Key demands include the immediate implementation of HR policy for outsourcing employees through AP Corporation for Outsourced Services (APCOS); framing of exclusive service rules for full-time outsourcing staff in government departments; seniority-based increment benefits for long-serving employees; extension of all welfare schemes promised in the coalition manifesto to outsourcing workers; and provision of 30 days paid medical leave annually. They also cited the hardships faced under the previous administration, including only a 23% salary hike and the loss of welfare benefits due to treating employees as government staff under CFMS, leading to a withdrawal of schemes. Several private agency-led exploitation was also mentioned, where salaries were withheld or embezzled, seeking government intervention via the PD Act for recovery. The delegation expressed gratitude to the government for setting up a Cabinet subcommittee on outsourcing employees soon after assuming power and demanded swift, favourable action on long-pending issues. In response, Mr. Keshav assured the delegation of the government's intention to deliver better services to the public through outsourcing employees and that there was no plan to dismantle APCOS. He said all concerns will be thoroughly reviewed, and if necessary, the Group of Ministers will consult all stakeholders before arriving at a decision.
Hans India
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
AP JAC seeks justice for outsourced staff in govt
Vijayawada: The AP JAC Amaravati and the Contract and Outsourced Employees' Association urged the state government to address the grievances of thousands of outsourced employees across various government departments. On Tuesday, AP JAC leaders submitted a representation to the minister for municipal Administration and urban development P Narayana, who is also a member of the APCOS cabinet sub-committee, seeking resolution of their long-standing issues. The delegation, led by AP JAC chairman Bopparaju Venkateswarlu, general secretary Palisetti Damodara Rao, Contract-Outsourced Employees' Association state president K Suman, and general secretary E Madhu Babu, demanded reforms in the Andhra Pradesh Corporation for Outsourced Services (APCOS). Their key demands include rectifying loopholes in APCOS, implementing an HR policy for outsourced staff aligned with government societies like MEPMA and SERP, establishing specific service rules for outsourced employees to ensure long-term job security, and restoring welfare schemes, including family benefits, withdrawn by the previous government. The leaders explained the adverse impact of the YSRCP government's policies, such as the scrapping of welfare schemes and a partial pay hike of 23 per cent instead of the recommended 30 per cent. They expressed dismay at the lack of basic service rules and welfare entitlements for outsourcing employees despite their full-time service in government departments. The JAC also strongly opposed any revival of the old private agency system, citing past instances of salary theft, mismanagement, and exploitation, which in some cases led to legal action under the PD Act. Minister Narayana responded positively, assuring that there are no plans to dismantle APCOS. He confirmed that the cabinet sub-committee would seriously discuss the issues and reiterated the government's commitment to ensuring justice and job security for outsourced employees. The minister also agreed to include employee unions in future policy consultations to incorporate their insights into state government decision-making.
