Date:05/01/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/01/05/stories/2009010552400500.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Gram panchayat staff plan to launch postcard campaign

Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD: The employees owing allegiance to the AP Grama Panchayat Employees and Workers Union will launch agitation including a postcard campaign from January 5 to press for their long pending demands.

In a press release, State general secretary Paladugu Bhaskar demanded that the government regularise the services of the gram panchayat employees and workers, provide minimum wages and job security as per promises.

Postcards containing the demands will be sent to the Chief MinisterY.S. Rajasekhara Reddy and Panchayat Raj Minister J.C. Diwakar Reddy from January 5 to 17. Dharnas will be organised in all the mandal headquarters on January 17 and strike notices will be submitted the same day, he said. The district panchayat offices will be besieged on January 19 and 20. The employees would go on strike if the Government failed to concede the demands.