August 9, 2013: Secretariat Seemandhra employees boycotted their work for the fifth consecutive day on Thursday as part of their agitation against the decision to bifurcate the State and to highlight the point that Hyderabad belonged to the people of all regions.

However, in view of Bonalu festival celebrations by Telangana employees who offered ‘bonams’ at the Sri Nalla Pochamma temple on the Secretariat premises, they took out a silent rally followed by a dharna.

A festival atmosphere prevailed in the Secretariat with the Telangana employees participating in a colourful Bonalu procession and later employees of all the regions partook in the community lunch organised by the Telangana Secretariat employees. Meanwhile, work remained affected in all the departments with majority of the employees keeping away since the Congress Working Committee’s announcement of its decision to divide the State.

Concern over statements

The Secretariat Seemandhra Employees Forum leaders expressed their concern over the statements made by some Telangana leaders that the Andhra employees working in Hyderabad would have to leave to serve in their State.

When the State bifurcation would affect employees the most, it was unfortunate that the Centre chose to announce the division of the State without spelling out guidelines for apportioning resources, revenue and concerns of people about the State capital and safeguards for the rights of employees and their families who have made Hyderabad their home. Secretariat Telangana Employees Union president Narender Rao said it was not proper for Seemandhra employees to agitate against State bifurcation and urged them to call off their protest. They would appreciate if the Seemandhra Forum confined its agitation to highlight service-related issues.

Source: The Hindu, DT. August 9, 2013.