Hyderabad: Andhra Pradesh government is not in a hurry to crack the whip against striking employees of Telangana, even as their agitation entered the third day on Thursday, badly affecting administration in the districts of the region, officials said.
The government is still seeking to engage the Telangana Employees Joint Action Committee (JAC) in talks and prevail upon the employees to call off their strike.
The government staffers in the region are staying away from work since September 13 as part of `Sakala Janula Samme` (strike by all sections of people), called to demand creation of Telangana state.
The General Administration Department and the Chief Minister`s Office issued instructions to District Collectors in Telangana, asking them to engage the JAC leaders in talks, monitor attendance of employees and ensure protection to those attending duties, they said.
The collectors have also been asked to take stern action against anyone trying to prevent employees from attending work, the officials said.
Engaging the services of retired employees is an option being considered by the government only if the indefinite strike continues for a long period, they said.
Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy called for an end to the strike. "Telangana cannot be achieved through strikes. It is only the people of Telangana who are suffering because of the strike," he said upon landing in Rajahmundry.
The Centre and Congress high command will take "an appropriate decision at an appropriate time" on the Telangana issue, Reddy said.
The Cabinet sub-committee on employees` issues, headed by Deputy Chief Minister Damodar Rajanarasimha, met here and discussed the impact of the general strike.
PTI
