Jagan rules out early elections, but puts YSRCP leaders on alert for Assembly polls

He is also said to have told ministers to act proactively and be in the midst of people, explaining the state government welfare measures.

ByRaj Rayasam

Published Jun 07, 2023 | 9:26 PMUpdatedJun 07, 2023 | 9:27 PM

CM Jagan Mohan presided over the state Cabinet meeting on 7 June. (Twitter/Screengrab)

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Wednesday, 7 June, ruled out early elections in the state.

The chief minister, also the president of the YSRCP, speaking to his ministers at the Cabinet meeting, is understood to have reminded them that since there were only nine months before the Assembly elections.

He also reportedly told them that they would have to work very hard to ensure that the YSRCP returned to power in the state.

Prepping for elections

“There are still nine months for the Election Commission to notify polls in our state. If we work hard, we will win the elections once again,” he said.

“The ministers have to act proactively and be in the midst of the people, explaining to them the welfare measures that the government had taken up,” he is understood to have said.

He also asked them to have better coordination with the MLAs. “You work hard these nine months. I will take care of the rest,” he reportedly said.

Also read: Naidu relies on alliance to win, not good work, says Jagan

Clearing Bills and schemes

Earlier, the Cabinet cleared 63 proposals, which included the Bill for bringing a new pension scheme for government employees.

Named the AP Guaranteed Pension Bill of 2023, it is expected to replace the existing Government Pension Scheme (GPS).

The scheme will ensure that employees would get not less than 50 percent of the last drawn basic pay as their pension, making dearness relief also applicable to it.

The Cabinet, in another decision, cleared the proposal to regularise 10,000 posts of government employees who are on contract in the state (those who have been working since 2 June, 2014).

The Cabinet also cleared the payment of dearness allowance at 2.83 percent with retrospective effect from 1 January, 2022.

Those who work in the district headquarters will get 12-16 percent of their basic pay as house rent allowance.

Also read: Jagan Mohan confers ownership of ‘dotted lands’ to 97,471 farmers

For employees

The Cabinet also cleared welfare schemes, including the Jagananna Amma Vodi Scheme, Jagananna Animutyalu Scheme, and Jagananna Vidya Kanuka, for this year.

It also gave its nod to the recommendations of the 12th Pay Revision Committee.

It also decided to sanction 6,840 new posts, which include vacancies for 3,920 in police battalions.

The Cabinet also okayed recruitment to Group I and II services and land allotment to companies who signed MoUs with the state government at the recent Global Investors’ Summit.

Also read: Jagan Mohan launches citizens’ helpline for grievance redressal