VRS for staff of three Govt. units

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, SEPT. 10. Three major public enterprises of the State Government are to offer voluntary retirement package to their surplus staff numbering over 500, it is learnt.

The VRS proposals of Andhra Pradesh Industrial Development Corporation (APIDC), the AP State Financial Corporation (APSFC) and the AP State Trading Corporation (APSTC) are understood to have been cleared by the Cabinet at its meeting on Monday. The package for the identified surplus staff is to be put in place with immediate effect. The VRS package in question is different from others of the kind in that the resultant vacancies may be filled by professionals on a contract basis, selectively and, if necessary. Sources said the surplus staff were identified on the basis of performance evaluation.

Today's Cabinet meeting, on the eve of the monsoon session of the Assembly, approved seven bills, including three replacing ordinances, and referred the on-going strike by the revenue employees to the Cabinet sub-committee on services. The Assembly, it is stated, is likely to sit for nine working days.

The meeting devoted much time to review the prevailing drought situation and the equally grim power supply position. Backtracking on its resolve to give 12 hours' supply to the farm sector in the face of `unprecedented rise in demand coupled with low reservoir levels and generation,' it decided to ensure at least 9 hours' supply and see that the farmer was enabled to save the first crop at any cost.

Sources said the demand reached 145 million units on Monday against 115 mu the same day last year. The system, already under terrific strain, would cave in if it crossed 128 mu. Power was being purchased from Chhatisgarh; even so, it was not possible to meet the demand in full. There was a big shortfall in supply from Ramagundam and the Central sector.

The Chief Minister, Mr. N. Chandrababu Naidu, who later reviewed the power situation with the Minister for Power, Mr. K. Subbarayudu, and officials, asked them to monitor the position constantly. He entrusted them also with the responsibility of proper execution of drought relief works, particularly the `food for work' programme.

The Cabinet sub-committee on Government policies and programmes gave a presentation on Janmabhoomi, housing and welfare schemes. It was felt the 'pro-poor' image of the Government suffered some erosion and this needed to be addressed and corrected urgently. The welfare schemes should be implemented effectively by pumping in more funds.

It may be recalled that the Telugu Desam Party, which did some introspection after the local bodies elections, came up with a number of recommendations. It called for a serious second look at the way various welfare programmes were implemented and see that the schemes were streamlined and reached the real poor.

Recommendations relating to Government programmes were referred to the Cabinet sub-committee consisting of the Ministers for Finance, Home, Transport and School Education.

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