CITU slams AP government over unpaid DA arrears

The Andhra Pradesh government has come under fire from CITU, with State general secretary Ch. Narasinga Rao accusing it of deceiving employees and workers by failing to pay dearness allowance (DA) and other pending arrears.

Addressing the media on Tuesday, Mr. Narasinga Rao said the NDA government, which had promised talks with employee unions ahead of Deepavali, offered only a single instalment of DA while ignoring the arrears.

The CITU State committee had demanded payment of four DA arrears due by July 2025. Mr. Narasinga Rao alleged that the TDP-led government is favouring corporate groups while shortchanging employees. The total arrears owed to State employees stand at ₹32,000 crore, including ₹835 crore due to the Police Department alone.

Instead of clearing the full amount, the government has agreed to pay only ₹105 crore to police personnel in two instalments. Mr. Narasinga Rao rejected claims that a single instalment would cost the government ₹165 crore, pointing out that the DA has been pending since January last year—a delay of 19 months. He demanded immediate payment of the remaining three instalments.

The CITU leader also called for the government to implement Pay Revision Commission (PRC) promises, including salary hikes for contract and outsourced workers, welfare schemes, and the abolition of the Contributory Pension Scheme.

He further urged revision of the minimum wage order at least once every two years and an increase in DA to match rising prices of essential commodities. CITU district general secretary R.K.S.V. Kumar was present.