Neerati, Maskuru, Lushkar and Shakasindhis to be absorbed in govt service
K Venkateshwarlu
Hyderabad
Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao has decided to scrap the Village Revenue Assistants (VRAs) system saying that it symbolised the feudal structure.
The VRAs are known by names like Neerati, Maskuru, Lushkar and Shakasindhis. The CM said that staff working as VRAs across the state will be regularised in supernumerary posts in the Revenue Department.
It may be recalled that the BRS government had abolished the Village Revenue Officers’ (VROs) system already.
Taking into consideration the recommendations made by the Cabinet Sub Committee, the stipulated rules and qualifications, KCR said that VRAs will be appointed as permanent government employees in the Municipal Administration, Mission Bhagiratha, Irrigation Department etc.
The CM directed Chief Secretary Santhi Kumari to issue orders regarding this on Monday.
The CM emphasised that governments should take decisions in tune with public needs and social evolution.
It is the responsibility of governments to provide job security to government employees working in sectors which cease to exist from time to time.
The CM explained that the government had adopted a policy and so the VRA system is being abolished.
The CM held a high-level review meeting on the regularisation, adjustment and stabilization of VRAs in the state.MP Vadviraju Ravichandra, MLCs Palla Rajeshwar Reddy, Tatha Madhu, MLAs Balka Suman, A. Jeevan Reddy, Krishna Mohan Reddy, Marri Janardhan Reddy, Rohit Reddy, Madan Reddy, Chief Advisor to Government Rajeev Sharma, Advisor to Chief Minister Somesh Kumar, Chief Secretary Santhi Kumari, CMO Principal Secretary S. Narsinga Rao, Finance Special Chief Secretary Ramakrishna Rao, Revenue Principal Secretary Naveen Mittal, Special Chief Secretary, MAUD, Arvind Kumar, CM’s Secretary Smita Sabharwal, Dasoju Sravan, VRA JAC leaders Chairman Rajaiah, Co-Chairman Ramesh Bahadur, Secretary General Dade Miya, Vijay Ravi Sridhar and others attended the meeting.
Speaking on the occasion, KCR said that the Village Assistant system came into existence to look after village revenues and other needs during the period when agriculture and irrigation wings were developed. The decades-old system transformed into today’s VRAs.
The CM praised the self-sacrificing service of VRAs who have been doing social service for generations. He said that today the VRAs’ system has lost relevance. The VRAs will be given supernumerary posts in the Revenue Department and they will be hired as permanent government employees, he added.
The CM said that the government’s help for VRAs who have been serving people for generations is considered a service to society.
The government always makes decisions from a humane perspective for those who work for people at the grassroots, he said.
The CM said the government enhanced the salaries of the working group without any demand from the community. The government accorded the highest priority to the dignity of labour as indicated in the slogan ‘Safayi anna..Niku Salamanna..’, (Hats off to sanitation workers).
Meanwhile, the VRA JAC leaders thanked the CM for appointing them as permanent government employees.
The CM said, “20,555 VRAs are working across the state. Some of them are illiterates, some have passed Class 7, Class 10, Intermediate and some have completed degree and higher studies. The government will determine the jobs for them based on their educational qualifications and they will be appointed in government departments as per rules.
The CM directed the Principal Secretary of the Revenue Department, Naveen Mittal, to finalise procedures and issue orders on Monday.
The Chief Minister decided to provide government jobs to the kin of VRAs who are above 61 years on compassionate grounds. The CM also announced that government jobs will be given to the kin of VRAs who died after June 2, 2014, while on duty before attaining the age of 61.
The VRA JAC leaders were asked to compile the details of deceased VRAs’ families and their educational qualifications. They will be given government jobs depending on their qualifications and rules.
